Walls that witnessed great literary inception
Ever wondered where the authors lived? Was it apartments like a window overlooking a river? Or was it a mansion in the countryside? Great literary minds often resided in plain looking houses, which has later been transformed into museums, interior preserved and open to the public. Today, lovers fo literature, admirers and historians visit these places that were once homes to the authors. Some of these houses are humble abode, while some are well opulent ancestral homes and mansions.
Take a trip down the homes of 9 historic writers that you can visit.
Chawton Cottage
Jane Austen, wrote for women, about women at a time when women writers were not even allowed. Famous for six novels that are read and celebrated eeven today. Austen was born in Stevenson, Hampshire, UK, in 1775, but later moved to a charming cottage in Chawton, Hampshire. She lived in the house with her sister. The cottage, surrounded by lush gardens and built with flint and stone, features a tilted roof, a kitchen, drawing room, and bedrooms. Today, it is known as the Jane Austen House, a museum and library showcasing Austen's belongings and the features works of other famous female British authors.
R.K. Narayan's Mysore Home
R.K. Narayan, beloved for Malgudi Days, lived in a two-story home in Yadavagiri, Mysuru. The house was onverted into a museum in 2016, and showcases a collection of his work and personal items, offering visitors a glimpse into the life of this literary icon.
Greenway House
The house was described as the loveliest place on Earth by the author and is situated on the Dart River Estate. This Georgian-style house, built in the late 1700s, was where Christie lived and this is where Christie came up with his mystery novels, The house features her bedroom, a living room filled with items from her childhood home, and a library with artwork.
Charles Dickens Museum
Charles Dickens resided at 48 Doughty Street in London. This Georgian house is beautiful , and now has been transformed as the Charles Dickens Museum. Open to public, visitors can explore Dickens’s living room, kitchen, study, and original furniture pieces.
Jorasanko Thakur Bari
Jorasanko Thakur Bari, located in Kolkata, is Tagore’s ancestral home. It is an opulent haveli, that has been converted into a museum now. The house features various souvenirs and personal items of the Thakur family, all showcasing the richness of Bengali culture.
Orchard House
Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, lived in Orchard House, Massachusetts. This 17th-century home served as the setting for the fictional March family and has been preserved as a museum.
Brontë Parsonage Museum
The Brontë sisters—Charlotte, Emily, and Anne—resided in the village of Haworth, Yorkshire. Their home, now the Brontë Parsonage Museum, honors their literary legacy. The dining room, where the sisters often gathered to write, remains a focal point. Emily Brontë described their home and village in Wuthering Heights.
Edgar Allan Poe's Baltimore home is an eerie two-story brick row house, reflecting the macabre nature of his stories. The house, where Poe lived with his mother and sisters, retains most of its original woodwork and features a brick-lined fireplace in the parlor. Now a National Historic Landmark, the house is open to visitors year-round.
Abbotsford House
Abbotsford House, located on the Scottish border, is an 18th-century masterpiece of medieval architecture. The home of Sir Walter Scott is filled with antique wooden furniture, ornate details, and vibrant character. Scott's library, study room, dining room, drawing room, and armory are open to visitors, offering a glimpse into the life of this literary giant.
