List of Blue Plaques in Bristol

This page lists the plaques put up by Bristol City Council.

If you would like to research any person further please contact Bristol Record Office or Bristol Central Library.

Information linked from this page is not controlled by the council.

Details of other commemorative plaques in Bristol can be found on the Open Plaques website. 

B

Eric Ball OBE 1903 - 1989

Salvationist and Composer - Dedicated to God and worshipped here as a child, 'The Beethoven of Brass'

Location: Salvation Army Hall on Two Mile Hill Road, just before Kingsway. [Eric Ball plaque map - to follow]

Ernest Bevin 1881 - 1951

General Secretary TGWU, MP and Foreign Secretary

Location: 39 Saxon Road, St Werburghs. [Ernest Bevin plaque map - to follow]

Jack Board 1867 - 1924

Gloucester and England Wicket Keeper

Location: 22 Manor Road, Bishopston. [Jack Board plaque map - to follow]

Birthplace of Bristol's Aerospace industries 19th February 1910

In this building Sir George White, chairman of Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company, founded the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company and the Bristol Aeroplane Company, forerunners of British Aerospace and Rolls Royce at Filton and Patchway

Location: Halifax Building Society, Clare Street. [Birthplace of Bristol's Aerospace industries plaque map - to follow]

C

Dame Clara Butt 1873 - 1936

Concert singer. Lived here from 1882 - 1886

Location: 3 Belle Vue, Totterdown. [Dame Clara Butt plaque map - to follow]

Thomas Clarkson 1760 - 1846

Anti-slave trade campaigner

More information: A short biography of Thomas Clarkson

Location: Seven Stars Pub, 1 Thomas Lane, Redcliffe. [Thomas Clarkson plaque map - to follow]

Russ Conway 1925 - 2000

Pianist, composer and entertainer. Born Trevor H Stanford, lived here 1929 - 1944

More information: A short biography of Russ Conway

Location: 2 Dean Lane, Southville. [Russ Conway plaque map - to follow]

Norah Cooke-Hurle (nee Fry) 1871 - 1960

Educationalist and pioneer in mental health site 1915 - 1921

More information: A short biography of Norah Fry

Location: Stars and Stripes Pool Hall, Bath Road, Brislington Hill. [Norah Cooke-Hurle plaque map - to follow]

D

Paul Dirac 1902 - 1984

Nobel prize winner for physics

More information: Scientific achievements of Paul Dirac

Location: 15 Monk Road Bishopston. [Paul Dirac plaque map - to follow]

F

John Frost 1784 - 1877

Chartist leader and social revolutionary

More information: A short biography of John Frost

Location: 68 Park Road, Stapleton. [John Frost plaque map - to follow]

G

The Gaiety Cinema 1933 - 2000

On this site stood the Gaiety Cinema, the last family owned cinema in Bristol which showed films to an estimated eight million people

Location: Corner of Crossways Road and Wells Road, Knowle. [The Gaiety Cinema plaque map - to follow]

Edward William Godwin 1833 - 1886

Bristol born Architect, furniture and fabric designer responsible for the building of the Carriageworks, Stokes Croft, Wesbury-on-Trym village all and restoration of St Mary Redcliffe Church. Lived here from 1862 - 1865

Location: 21 Portland Square, St Paul's, the former home of Edward William Godwin. [Edward William Godwin plaque map - to follow]

Catherine Grace 1907 - 1986

Educational Pioneer. Founder of St Christopher's School

Location: 27 Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton. [Catherine Grace plaque map - to follow]

Elsie Griffin 1895 - 1989

International opera singer. Principal soprano with D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Popularised 'Danny Boy' and 'Roses of Picardy'. Attended this school and lived nearby.

Location: St Michael’s on the Mount Without Primary School, Park Lane. Elsie Griffin plaque map - to follow

More information: Wikipedia entry. 

Sarah Guppy 1770 - 1852

Nineteenth century inventor and mother of Brunel's friend and backer, Thomas

More information: Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society (CHIS)

Location: 7 Richmond Hill, Clifton. [Sarah Guppy plaque map - to follow]

H

Ruby Helder 1890 - 1938

International famous Tenor singer

More information: Brief details of Ruby Helder from Living Easton Community Site

Location: Flats at southern end of Easton Road, Easton. [Ruby Helder plaque map - to follow]

Bob Hope 1903 - 2003

Comedian and Actor

More information: Bob Hope website

Location: St George's Park, St George, Church Road entrance. [Bob Hope plaque map - to follow]

Victoria Hughes 1897 - 1978

Who befriended and cared for prostitutes when she worked here as a lavatory attendant from 1929 - 1962

Location: Public toilets on the Downs. [Victoria Hughes plaque map - to follow]

J

John James 1906 - 1996

Philanthropist

More information: John James Bristol Foundation website

Location: 96 Philip Street, Bedminster. [John James plaque map - to follow]

K

Charlotte Keel 1888 - 1955

Alderman, Health pioneer

Location: 15 Hereford Road, St Werburghs. [Charlotte Keel plaque map - to follow]

Annie Kenney 1879 - 1930

Leading suffragette

Location: 23 Gordon Road, Clifton. [Annie Kenney plaque map - to follow]

L

Sir Allen Lane CH 1902 - 1970

Founder in 1935 of Pengiun Books

More information: History of Pengiun Books

Location: 11 Cotham Vale. [Sir Allen Lane plaque map - to follow]

Thomas Lawrence 1769 - 1830

Portrait painter

More information: Wikipedia entry

Location: 9 Redcross Street; St Judes. [Thomas Lawrence plaque map - to follow]

Adolph Leipner 1827 - 1894

Founded first University Botanic Garden at Woodland Road.

Co-founder of Bristol Naturalists Society.

Location: 47 Hampton Park, Cotham. Lived here from 1870 to 1894. [Adolph Leipner plaque map - to follow]

M

Kassam Ismail Majothi 1924 - 2002

Founder of Bristol Sweet Mart

Location: 71 St Marks Road, Easton. [Kassam Ismail Majothi plaque map - to follow]

Hannah More 1745 - 1833

Educational pioneer

Location: Keepers Cottage, Brislington Hill, Brislington. [Hannah More plaque map - to follow]

N

Nipper the Dog 1884 - 1895

"His Master Voice". Mark Barraud 1848-1887 owner and master of Bristol born dog Nipper 1884-1895 was employed as a scenic designer in the old Prince's Theatre in Park Row

More information: Nippers Story

Location: Corner of Park Row/Woodland Road. [Nipper the Dog plaque map - to follow]

Frank Norman 1930-1980

Author and Playwright was born here 9th June 1930

Location: 151 Whiteladies Road, Clifton. [Frank Norman plaque map - to follow]

P

Lady Emmeline Pethwick Lawrence 1867 - 1954

Lecturer, Writer, Suffragist and Pacifist who edited `Votes for Women' was born here

Location: 20 Charlotte Street, Brandon Hill. [Lady Emmeline Pethwick Lawrence plaque map - to follow]

Princess Caraboo 1791 - 1864

This commemorates Mary Wilcocks a servant girl who in 1817, at the age of 26, managed to fool people into thinking that she was in fact Princess Caraboo of Javasu, that she had been kidnapped by pirates, had escaped and managed to get to England. Her fame spread to London and even America to where she fled after being unmasked.

Location: 11 Princess Street, Bedminster

R

Canon Hardwicke Drummond Rawnsley 1851 - 1920

English clergyman, poet, writer of hymns and conservationist who co-founded The National Trust in 1895

Location: Community of the Sisters of the Church, 82 Ashley Road, St Pauls Canon H D Rawnsley plaque map - to follow 

More information: Wikipedia entry 

Michael Redgrave 1908 - 1985

Actor and film star

More information: Michael Redgrave Biography

Location: 4 Horfield Road, off St Michaels Hill. [Michael Redgrave plaque map - to follow]

Isaac Rosenberg 1890 - 1918

Artist and Poet was born near here at 5 Adelaide Place

More information: Self Portrait of Isaac Rosenberg

Location: 25 Garamound House, Clarence Road, Redcliffe (actually born in area, house now demolished). [Isaac Rosenberg plaque map - to follow]

Irene Rose 1883 - 1965

Dancer and Singer. President of the Music Hall Ladies Guild

Location: 26 Richmond Street, Totterdown. [Irene Rose plaque map - to follow]

Ronald Russell 1910 - 1994

Peggy Ann Wood 1912 - 1998

Ran the Rapier Players repertory company here at the Little Theatre continuously from 1935 - 1963

Location: Colston Hall, Colston Street. [Ronald Russell and Peggy Ann Wood plaque map - to follow]

S

Ellen Sharples 1769 - 1849
Rolinda Sharples 1794 - 1838

Mother and Daughter. Artists who lived here from 1821 - 1832

Location: 37 Canynge Road, Clifton. [Ellen and Rolinda Sharples plaque map - to follow]

Jessie Stephen 1893-1979

Trade unionist and councillor who in 1952 became the first woman president of the trades council. Lived and died here.

Location: 27 Chessel Street, Bedminster. [Jessie Stephen plaque map - to follow]

Sir Robert Stephens 1931-1995

Early star of the National Theatre, London Stage and screen actor

Lived here from 1931 to 1939

Location: 34 Priory Road, Shirehampton. [Sir Robert Stephens plaque map - to follow]

Rt Rev. Dr Mervyn Stockwood 1913 - 1995

Vicar of this parish from 1941 - 1955
Bishop of Southwark 1959 - 1980

As a Christian he inspired generosity. As a leader he fought for tolerance.

Location: Corner of Church Road/Cowper Street, Redfield. [Rt Rev. Dr Mervyn Stockwood plaque map - to follow]

Elizabeth Sturge 1849 - 1944
Helen Sturge 1858 - 1945

Pioneers in womens suffrage and education for girls and young women

Location: 2 Durdham Park, Redland. [Elizabeth and Helen Sturge plaque map - to follow]

T

Robin Tanner 1904 - 1988

Etcher and Painter

Location: 5 Ryde Road, Knowle. [Robin Tanner plaque map - to follow]

Robert Taylor GC 1920 - 1950

Robert Taylor who lived here all his life. Killed trying to stop armed robbers at Lloyds Bank, Westbury on March 13th 1950. He was awarded the George Cross for bravery

More information: George Cross Medal website

Location: 24 Victoria Park, Fishponds. [Robert Taylor plaque map - to follow]

Ben Tillet 1861 - 1943

President of TUC and MP

More information: Ben Tillet - history

Location: Bristol City Council Round Blue Plaque at 87 Somerset Road, Knowle. [Ben Tillet Somerset Road plaque map - to follow] and

Location: Easton 3D Picture Blue Plaque at 8 Combefactory Lane, (upper Bannerman Road), Easton. [Ben Tillet Combefactory Lane plaque map - to follow]

Guy Broadwith Tordoff 1908 - 1990

Teacher of Esperanto. pacifist and committed Quaker who travelled widely in Eastern Europe to promote peace through better communication

Lived here from 1923 - 1988

Location: 82 Pendennis Park, Brislington. [Guy Broadwith Tordoff plaque map - to follow]

Dame Eva Turner 1892 - 1990

Opera Singer attended St Anne's School 1901-1906

More Information: St Annes School Web Site

Location: St Annes School, Bloomfield Road, St Annes. [Dame Eva Turner plaque map - to follow]

V

Ada Vachell 1866 - 1923

Champion of poor and disabled people and founder in 1895 of the 'Guild of the Handicapped.'

Lived here from 1910 - 1923

Location: Foley Cottage, 130 Hampton Road, Redland. [Ada Vachell plaque map - to follow]

Paula Vezelay 1892 - 1984

Abstract Artist

Location: 2 Rodney Place, Clifton. [Paula Vezelay plaque map - to follow]

Erected by Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society

W

Eliza Walker Dunbar 1845 - 1925

Pioneer woman doctor noted for the care of women and children. Lived here 1883 - 1925

Location: 9 Oakfield Road, Clifton. [Eliza Walker Dunbar plaque map - to follow]

John William Henry Wall 1855 - 1915

Novelist and Local Historian, "The Shoemaker Poet". A Pioneer of the Bristol and District Co-op Movement, founded at 38 Croydon St and opened at 22 Houlton Street in 1884. He set up the "Shakespeare Boot Mart" at 15 Croydon Street in 1887. A Bootcutter, on low income, who with Co-operative and Socialist Principles, fought for the rights of Working-Class people.

Location: Croydon House, Croydon Street, Easton. [John William Henry Wall plaque map - to follow]

Henry Wills 1856 - 1922

Engineer and Philanthropist

Location: 23 Blenheim Road (off Coldharbour Road), Redland. [Henry Wills plaque map - to follow]

Z

John Michael Ziman 1925 - 2005

Leading thinker and writer on the philosophy and history of science and prominent campaigner on the social responsibility of scientists.

Location: 20 Eastfield, Westbury on Trym [John Michael Ziman plaque map - to follow]