Thackeray, Vanity Fair and Chiswick Mall

Chiswick Timeline of Writers & Books: A Quick Guide


From the Writers Trail:

22) WM Thackeray 1811-1863. Novelist, satirist: Vanity Fair opens in Chiswick Mall at Mrs Pinkerton’s Academy, based on Walpole House where Thackeray went to school in 1817. Opening chapter is called ‘Chiswick Mall’.
Walpole House, Chiswick Mall, W4 2PS (private house, no access) but also see Chiswick Square W4 2QG: a sign claims that was where Becky Sharpe threw the dictionary (below).
Chiswick History – People by Gillian Clegg
‘Chiswick Mall’ – Opening chapter of Vanity Fair
Put the word out: Chiswick may be Britain’s most literary locationThe Observer
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The opening chapter
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Becky Sharpe throws the dictionary
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‘Thackeray, Vanity Fair and Chiswick Mall’ was the opening event of the 2018 Chiswick Book Festival at Chiswick House, to tie in with the ITV series (below). The speakers were Thackeray scholar Professor John Sutherland, the writer of the ITV series Gwyneth Hughes, and cast member Claudia Jessie (Line of Duty) who played Amelia Sedley.
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Michael Palin as Thackeray in Vanity Fair on ITV
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Chiswick Timeline Writers Trail
Read more stories via the Writers Tales page.


The Chiswick Timeline of Writers & Books lists almost 500 writers who have written a book and lived in Chiswick W4, or written books about the area.  See A Quick Guide.

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