The Blue Plaque Pod

Our final guest for season 1 is Ian Dunt, a British political journalist. He hosts Origin Story with Dorian Lynskey and is the author of “How to be a Liberal”, “Brexit: What the Hell Happens Now?” and “How Westminster Works…And Why it Doesn’t”.   The plaque he chose is at 18 Kensington Square, South Kensington and reads: John Stuart Mill, 1806-1873, philosopher, lived here. We spoke about Mill's difficult childhood; why his ideas on politics, society, ethics and philosophy remain influential; his career at the British East India Company; and the impact his wife had on his ideas and work.   The Blue Plaque Pod is brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com.

Irenosen Okojie is the Nigerian-British author of Butterfly Fish and the short story collections, Speak Gigantular and Nudibranch. She co-presented the BBC's Turn Up for The Books podcast, she’s vice chair of the Royal Society of Literature and was a judge for the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction.   The plaque she chose is on Lands Lane in Leeds and reads: "Pablo Fanque. Born William Darby, he was the first Black circus owner in Britain. He regularly performed in Leeds. On 18th March 1848, near to this location in King Charles’ Croft, his circus building collapsed causing the death of his wife Susannah. Both are now buried in the Leeds General Cemetery. 1810-1871". We spoke about the cultural power of the circus during the 19th century, Fanque's entry into the circus and equestrian talent and how and why he appeared in a Beatles song lyric.    The Blue Plaque Pod is brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com. 

Andrew Cotter has been working as a sports broadcaster - primarily for the BBC - for over 20 years. He is also known for his two very good dogs, Olive and Mabel, whose antics he filmed and commentated on during the Covid 19 pandemic.   The plaque he chose is at 82 Waldegrave Road in Teddington and reads: Edward Whymper 1840-1911, mountaineer, lived here 1907-1911. Whymper was the first person to scale the Matterhorn, a feat he achieved in 1865 on his eighth attempt. We discussed this notorious ascent, in which four of his teammates died, the character and drive of sportsmen, the lure of the mountains and how Cotter feels about Whymper and his blue plaque.    The Blue Plaque Pod is brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com. 

Kit Kemp is an interior designer, the founder and creative director of Kit Kemp Design Studio and Firmdale Hotels. She’s known for championing British art and craft and for her colourful, eclectic and much-imitated style.   The plaque she has chosen is at 46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury and reads: "Vanessa Bell 1879-1961 Duncan Grant 1885-1978 artists lived and worked here". They were artists, but they were also linchpins of the group of intellectuals, writers and artists known as the Bloomsbury Set. We discussed the relationship between Bell and Grant, their place in the Bloomsbury Set and their creative partnership.   The Blue Plaque Pod is brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com. 

Albert Muzquiz, aka @edgyalbert, is a content creator, stylist, and fashion historian who produces popular and educational vintage clothing and style content on TikTok, Instagram and Youtube.    The plaque he has chosen is at 4 Chesterfield Street, Mayfair, London and reads: "Beau Brummell, 1778-1840, Leader of Fashion lived here". We spoke about Brummell's turbulent relationship with the Prince of Wales, his habit of insulting his social superiors and what vintage jeans he might choose to wear if he lived today.   The Blue Plaque Pod is brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com. 

Val McDermid is an award-winning Scottish novelist who has sold over 19 million books. She's the author of the 'Wire in the Blood' and 'Traces' series and 'Past Lying'. She's also the lead singer of the Fun Lovin' Crime Writers.   The plaque she's chosen is on Castle Street in Inverness and reads: "Site of MacKintosh fruit shop, family business of writer Josephine Tey (Elizabeth MacKintosh) 1896-1952, author of The Daughter of Time". We spoke about MacKintosh's career and legacy as a Golden Age crime writer, the aliases she used and the rigid separation between the lives she led in Scotland and London.     The Blue Plaque Pod is a new podcast brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com.

Levison Wood is a professional explorer, writer and photographer who has walked the length of the Nile and circumnavigated the Arabian Peninsula.  Levison spent time in the armed forces and served in Afghanistan. His latest book Escape from Kabul: The Inside Story was released in March 2023.   The blue plaque he chose is at 2 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6QR  and reads: Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) Antarctic Explorer lived here. We spoke about Shackleton's fortitude, courage and leadership skills, the difficulties faced by explorers trying to secure funding and why Shackleton considered a banjo an essential piece of survival kit.   The Blue Plaque Pod is a brand new podcast brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com.

Celia Richardson is the Director of Communications for the National Trust. For the past six years, she’s been responsible for the Trust’s brand and marketing, policy, advocacy and reputation. Previously, she’s worked for the Historic England, the Refugee Council and several mental health charities.   The blue plaque she chose is at 2 Garbutt Place, Marylebone, London W1U 4DS. It reads: Octavia Hill, 1838-1912, Housing Reformer, Co-founder of The National Trust began her work here. We spoke about Hill's friendship with John Ruskin, the impact her work continues to have on the lives of Londoners today and how the work of the National Trust has become more politicised.   The Blue Plaque Pod is a brand new podcast brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com.

Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster, commentator on LGBTQ+ issues and an ambassador for Manchester Pride. He’s the author of The Madonna of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Becoming Ted and One Love.   The blue plaque he chose is at 2 Warrington Crescent, Maida Vale, London W9 1ER. It reads: Alan Turing, 1912-1954, Code-breaker and Pioneer of Computer Science was born here. We spoke about Turing's life and career, and why Matt thinks Turing might actually have preferred to be commemorated elsewhere.   The Blue Plaque Pod is a brand new podcast brought to you by Kassia St. Clair, author, cultural historian and commemorative plaque fancier. I would love to know what you think, whether you have a favourite plaque, or if there's someone you think would make a great guest. Get in touch at blueplaquepod.com.

Have you ever looked up at a blue plaque in London or elsewhere and wanted to know more about the person being commemorated? The Blue Plaque Pod is a new history podcast from best-selling author Kassia St. Clair. In each episode a notable guest will select a plaque that intrigues them. We'll talk about why they chose it and what it means to them, and discuss the life, times and career of the person, people, animal or thing commemorated. The Blue Plaque Pod is a heartfelt show about people and the places where they lived, loved and worked, and why their lives can still matter deeply to us decades or even centuries after their deaths.