encounters

one in twelve

March 4, 2026

Since 1866, the English Heritage scheme has been marking buildings associated with notable lives.

Writers, journalists, musicians, political exiles, philosophers, actors… anyone they deem historically significant, and dead for over 20 years, earns the honour of a blue plaque.

We spotted 12 in Soho:

David Bowie – Trident Studios, 17 St Anne’s Court
John Logie Baird – Bar Italia, 22 Frith Street
Karl Marx – Quo Vadis, 28 Dean Street
Ronnie Scott – 39 Gerrard Street
Mozart – 20 Frith Street
Percy Bysshe Shelley – 15 Poland Street
William Hazlitt – Hazlitt’s Hotel, 6 Frith Street
Canaletto – 41 Beak Street
Washington Irving – 8 Argyll Street
Sir Joseph Banks – 31–32 Soho Square
Arthur Onslow – 20 Soho Square
Mary Seacole – 14 Soho Square

Eleven men.

Only one remarkable woman.

In 140 years of plaques in Soho, that’s the score.