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Amelia Opie was born in a house on Colegate (now demolished) - opposite St. George's Church. There is a plaque on the wall to commemorate the spot.

She was a talented versatile writer who wrote plays, novels, poetry and thousands of  letters. In 1798 she married the painter John Opie and moved into a house which lies on the corner of what is now Opie Street and Castle Meadow. After her husband died in 1807 she continued to write.

Amelia Opie's House on Castle Meadow, Norwich

Bust of Amelia Opie

Her best known romantic novel is Adeline Mowbray - published in 1804. She was satirised by T.L. Peacock in Headlong Hall as Miss Poppyseed as 'an indefatigable compounder of novels'.

She was also a frequent visitor to London and socialised with other famous writers such as Sir Walter Scott, Wordsworth and Sheridan. She also knew the Norfolk writer George Borrow.

She is buried in the Gildencroft Quaker Cemetery off Chatham Street. Her grave is located in the far left hand corner - under a tree and next to the wall. The inscription on the stone has virtually disappeared so it is not easy to identify.  She was buried with her father. The graveyard is now left as a wildlife area by the City Council.

Plaque on wall of house - Castle Meadow

Amelia Opie Plaque Colegate

The Castle Museum also holds a number of paintings by John Opie - including one of John Crome.
 

Links:

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery