The Art and Literature of Birmingham

Birmingham is a large city in the north of England, which began to rise to power and significance during the Industrial Revolution. However, the city also has strong associations with the fields of art and literature, having given birth to some of the finest creative minds in the history of Great Britain.

Pay a visit for yourself, and explore this fascinating city – you’ll find plenty of great choices for accommodation here too, ranging from cheap Birmingham centre guesthouses, to hotels in Birmingham Star City.

A few of the many literary figures associated with Birmingham include Dr. Samuel Johnson, author of the world’s first dictionary, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – the visionary creator of works such as Sherlock Holmes and The Lost World. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of Lord of the Rings, also grew up here… supposedly many of the locations in his books were inspired by natural features in the area, including Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog.

The well-known political playwright David Edgar came from Birmingham, and the American author Washington Irving produced a number of his more famous works while living here. Poets associated with the city include Louis MacNeice, Benjamin Zephaniah, Roi Kwabena and the much-loved W.H. Auden.

In the world of art, Birmingham is home to the most important Pre-Raphaelite collection anywhere in the world. Societies such as the Birmingham School of Art and the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists made this city a thriving centre for arts during the Victorian era, and some of the illustrious names to follow include the impressionist David Cox, Pre-Raphaelite Edward Burne-Jones, Walter Langley of the Newlyn School, and the vastly influential Joseph Southall.

With a wealth of museums, as well as centres, festivals and celebrations of the works of Birmingham’s writers and artists, the city makes the perfect destination for anyone in search of a little culture. So, check in for a stay at the Blueberry Hotel, or any of the other luxurious hotels in the city centre, and take the time to explore this creative capital. Whether your interests lie in fine art or ripping good yarns, you’ll find that Birmingham has had a crucial part to play in the evolution of art and literature in Great Britain.