Marylebone in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Arthur Pearson

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2026

1. Arthur Pearson Marker

Inscription.
Sir Arthur Pearson
1866-1921
Founder of St Dunstan's
(Blind Veterans UK)

lived and worked here

Erected 2019 by English Heritage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications.

Location. 51° 31.165′ N, 0° 8.696′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Marylebone. It is on Portland Place north of Duchess Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 Portland Place, City of Westminster, England W1B, 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: Kenneth Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); Svenska Residenset i London / The Swedish Residence in London

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Wilkie Collins (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Gage (about 120 meters away); Sir Stewart Duke-Elder (about 150 meters away); Karl Ghattas (about 150 meters away); Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts (about 150 meters away); Carl Maria von Weber (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.

Also see . . .
1. Sir Arthur Pearson, 1st Baronet (Wikipedia). Overview:

Sir Cyril Arthur Pearson, 1st Baronet (24 February 1866 – 9 December 1921) was a British newspaper magnate and publisher, who founded the Daily Express.

(Submitted on April 30, 2026.)

2. Pearson, Sir Arthur (1866-1921) (English Heritage). Excerpt:

Pearson had always had bad eyesight and in 1913 he learned that he would soon be completely blind. He told his wife Ethel ‘I will never be a blind man, I am going to be the blind man’. Pearson sold off his remaining publishing interests and began to work tirelessly for blind people. He worked initially as treasurer for the National Institute for the Blind (now the Royal National Institute of Blind People,
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2026

2. Arthur Pearson Marker - wide view
or RNIB) and then as secretary for the National Relief Fund upon the outbreak of the First World War. In February 1915 he established a hostel for blinded servicemen called St Dunstan’s, a charity which still operates today as Blind Veterans UK.

St Dunstan’s Hostel for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors offered a total programme of care and training. Every man who passed the reading test was given a Braille writing machine and men could choose to learn one of a number of different trades, from poultry farming to typing. There was also a wide range of sporting, social, and musical activities. When a patient left St Dunstan’s he was given a set of tools appropriate to the trade he had learnt, and a home and working premises were found for him. In 1917 an aftercare department was established to provide, when necessary, lifelong support.

(Submitted on April 30, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.