Steve Ridley, a PhD student in English Literature in ALSS, joined with Birmingham City dignitaries in December 2009 to unveil a Blue Plaque to commemorate the life of Constance Naden, a distinguished late nineteenth century poet and philosopher from Birmingham.

Steve is currently working on a PhD about religious, scientific and philosophical perspectives in the prose and poetry of Naden and in the course of his research met some of Naden's descendants in London who possess an archive of material including a travel diary and personal letters. In addition, Steve has discovered the site of Naden's grave in Birmingham and then made the wonderful discovery that the house where Naden grew up had survived. Following discussions with the Birmingham Civic Society it was agreed that a Blue Plaque should be erected on the house and Steve was asked to be the keynote speaker at the ceremony. Around forty people including academics from the University of Birmingham attended the unveiling followed by a reception afterwards where Steve displayed excerpts from the travel diary and showed guests the Naden family photographs and personal letters.

Steve remarked:

"I was delighted to be asked to be the speaker at the event and to take the opportunity to represent Anglia Ruskin in unveiling a tribute to one of Birmingham's most talented Victorian women. Although many people may not have heard of Constance Naden she was very highly regarded in the latter part of the nineteenth century and, but for her tragic death at the age of 31, would have become one of Birmingham's most famous daughters."

Please email Steve for more information on his research.

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