Jean Ingelow

A distinguished Victorian author highly regarded by Tennyson and Ruskin, Jean Ingelow was one of the best-selling authors of poetry, children's stories and novels from 1850 until her death. However, her fame critically declined in the 20th century, though she is still celebrated in the USA.

Born in Lincolnshire, Jean moved to Ipswich, aged fourteen, when her father became manager of the Ipswich and Suffolk Banking Company.

Living in Elm Street for ten years in the spacious first floor rooms over the bank she began her first experiments as a writer. After bank failure and the family’s departure, the arch was created and Arcade Street was built on the site of the Ingelow's garden.

Among the first tranche of blue plaques, this was unveiled in 2001.