The Folklore Society
Sir Laurence Gomme, pioneer in folklore studies, honoured with English Heritage's 800th Blue Plaque
Sir Laurence Gomme (1853-1916), an early pioneer of the Blue Plaques Scheme, was honoured with the 800th Blue Plaque at a special ceremony at 11.30am on 12 May 2006 at 24 Dorset Square, London, NW1, where Gomme lived from 1895 to 1909. Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage, said: "It is particularly fitting that we are honouring Sir Laurence Gomme with the 800th Blue Plaque as he contributed so much to the Blue Plaques Scheme. Gomme was passionate about the rich history of London and felt that every street and every stone was a witness to the past and an inspiration for the future."
During his 25 year career with London County Council (LCC), Gomme was closely involved with plaques and it was largely through his instigation that the LCC took over the scheme from the (Royal) Society of Arts in 1901. During his work for London County Council, Gomme's enthusiasm for London's history led to a new reverence for things of the past and for the preservation of its historic buildings. Gomme's many achievements included helping the Council to protect threatened buildings and he was also responsible for founding the London Museum in 1911 (which merged with the Guildhall Museum in 1975 to create The Museum of London).
Number 24 Dorset Square is particularly significant as Gomme's 14 year residence between 1895 and 1909 coincided with the prime years of his career and it was while living here that he was appointed Clerk to London County Council (1900). Gomme was an able and hard working official and oversaw a significant increase in the Council's responsibilities in such fields as housing, transport and education. It was while living at Dorset Square that Gomme was involved with the formation of the Survey of London (now part of English Heritage's Research Department), founded and jointly edited the "Victoria County History" series with Herbert Arthur Doubleday (1867-1941) and oversaw the transferral of the plaques scheme to the London County Council.
The description of Gomme's recreations in "Who's Who" as "change of work" was an understatement, he was fascinated by the history of London and was a pioneer in folklore studies. He wrote many books including "Folklore as an Historical Science" (1908), "Making of London" (1911) and "London" (1914).
In 1911, Gomme was knighted in recognition of his work. On his death in 1916, the Observer noted that "the death of Sir Laurence Gomme robs London of one of its most notable citizens, and one of its most loyal servants." The Times wrote that "few men have had a more profound knowledge of the past and the present greatness of London, and few have done more to make London known to its people than Sir Laurence Gomme."