Charles Farrar Browne (1834-1867), known professionally as Artemus Ward, was an American humorist who achieved fame on both sides of the Atlantic in the mid 19th century. He died at Southampton on 3 March 1867 during a visit to the UK which had begun in 1866. He died at Radley’s Hotel on the south corner of Terminus Terrace and Oxford Street (image 2). Later this building became the offices of the Royal Mail Shipping Line and was known - and is still sometimes referred to – as Royal Mail House. In 1967 the owners of the building refused to allow a plaque commemorating Artemus Ward to be placed on the outer wall. Instead, the plaque was placed on the wall of the London Hotel on the opposite side of Oxford Street (image 3).
1. Artemus Ward
Contemporary photograph.
1. Artemus Ward×
2. The Former Radley's Hotel
Photograph, 1941
3. Plaque Commemorating Artemus Ward
Plaque on the wall of the London Hotel.
3. Plaque Commemorating Artemus Ward×
Further reading:
'Artemus Ward: Why the Cover Up', by John Edgar Mann, in Hampshire, Vol. 31, No. 8, June 1991, p37. (H/y)
'Plaque Raised for Artemus', by John Edgar Mann, in Hampshire, Vol. 32, No. 12, October 1992, p45-46. (H/y)
'The Importance of Being Spot On', by John Edgar Mann, in Hampshire, Vol. 37, No. 4, February 1997, p26-27. (H/y)
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