Writers & Artists
The 18th century was Twickenham's literary golden age,…
The 18th century was Twickenham's literary golden age, when it was known as the classic village. Earlier residents include the philosopher and essayist, who lived at Twickenham Park from about 1580 to 1608 and the poet (1609-1642) who lived at Whitton in a house demolished in 1745.
dominated the earlier years of the 18th century and the later years. was at Savile House in Heath Road, at his villa in Hampton, at Colne Lodge and at . Many others, including Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, and John Gay, creator of the Beggar's Opera, were visitors.In the 19th century residents (sometimes briefly) included and in Twickenham, , compiler of the Golden Treasury, in Whitton and , author of Lorna Doone, in Teddington. In the 20th century residents included in Teddington and in Twickenham.
Painters in the 18th century included at Whitton and in Twickenham., the portrait painter, lived in Cross Deep from 1753-1779. Kneller had a studio where he and a number of assistants worked prolifically and where 800 pictures were left to be sold at his death in 1723.
In the 19th century built and lived at Sandycombe Lodge and, though Thomas Rowlandson does not appear to have lived in the locality, a number of his drawings depict local scenes. Alfred Sisley, the impressionist, also visited the area in 1874 and painted a series of pictures of views of the Thames between Hampton Court and Hampton.
