Marylebone in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Chateaubriand
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 28, 2026
1. Chateaubriand Marker
In 1793 the author of “Memoires d'Outre-Tombe”
Chateaubriand
1768 - 1848
lived as an emigre in a garret close to this site and began his literary career.
He returned in 1822 as French ambassador and resided in Portland Place.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.
Location. 51° 31.242′ N, 0° 9.293′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Marylebone. It is on Paddington Street east of Chiltern Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 Paddington Street, City of Westminster, England W1U, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Gardens · Paddington Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Swedish War Hospital (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Apple Boutique (about 120 meters away); F Section, Special Operations Executive Memorial (about 150 meters away); William Pitt the Younger (about 150 meters away); Michael Faraday (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Juan Pablo Viscardo y Guzman (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); H.G. Wells (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.
Also see . . .
this page online
François-René, vicomte de Chateaubriand (4 September 1768 – 4 July 1848) was a French writer, politician, diplomat and historian who influenced French literature of the nineteenth century. Descended from an old aristocratic family from Brittany, Chateaubriand was a royalist by political disposition. In an age when large numbers of intellectuals turned against the Church, he authored the Génie du christianisme in defense of the Catholic faith. His works include the autobiography Mémoires d'Outre-Tombe (“Memoirs from Beyond the Grave”), published posthumously in 1849–1850.(Submitted on March 13, 2026.)
Exile in London: Chateaubriand spent most of his exile in poverty in London, scraping a living offering French lessons and doing translation work, but also worked as a French teacher in Beccles in Suffolk. While he was in Suffolk he fell in love with Charlotte Ives, the daughter of a clergyman living in Bungay, but the romance ended when he was forced to reveal he was already married. During his time in Britain, Chateaubriand also became familiar with English literature. This reading, particularly of John Milton's Paradise Lost (which he later translated into French prose), had a deep influence on his own literary work.
His exile forced Chateaubriand to examine the causes of the French Revolution,which had cost the lives of many of his family and friends; these reflections inspired his first work, Essai sur les Révolutions (1797). An attempt in 18th-century style to explain the French Revolution, it predated his subsequent, romantic style of writing and was largely ignored. A major turning point in Chateaubriand's life was his conversion back to the Catholic faith of his childhood around 1798.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 28, 20262. Chateaubriand Marker - wide viewThe marker is visible here attached to the remnants of an older gate or wall, perhaps, seemingly unrelated to the more modern building to the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
