| Amelia Opie (1769-1853) 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.
Her best known romantic novel is Adeline Mowbray -
published in 1804. 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. |
Supported
by Norfolk Tourism