Question: Did you know that this unassuming house was once home to a Prime Minister? We are standing in front of 9 Howitt Road. This is where the Ramsay MacDonald Blue plaque is located. It marks the London residence of Ramsay MacDonald. He was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Let’s delve into the life of this significant political figure. Ramsay MacDonald lived here from 1916 to 1925. The London County Council erected this blue plaque in 1963. It is a ceramic tribute to his time here.
Ramsay MacDonald was born in 1866 and died in 1937. He held the esteemed position of Prime Minister. This plaque firmly connects him to the world of politics and administration.
Now while Ramsay MacDonald lived at 9 Howitt Road. He later moved to a seven-bedroom property on Frognal in Hampstead. He lived there from 1925 until his death in 1937.
That Frognal house had quite the history. Celebrities like Charlie Chaplin visited. Katherine Hepburn and Ingrid Bergman were also guests.
Ramsay MacDonald was Labour’s first Prime Minister. He was also one of the few without a university degree. He came from a working-class background. This was before “Hampstead Socialism” became a common term. It was used to criticize north London’s left-wing intellectuals.
MacDonald wasn’t wealthy. He even had to furnish 10 Downing Street by begging and borrowing. His former housemaid Maggie and her friends worked for him there. They were known as the “Lossiemouth lassies”.
Interestingly the house in Frognal was later owned by Donald Ogden Stewart. He was a Hollywood screenwriter blacklisted for his political views.
In 1925 Ramsay MacDonald paid just £6000 for his house in Hampstead. It had twenty rooms. This was a significant upgrade from his previous home. He needed a house fitting for a former Prime Minister.
He bought Upper Frognal Lodge. He sold some possessions to purchase it. MacDonald enjoyed daily walks on Hampstead Heath.
He served as Prime Minister in 1924. He again served from 1929 to 1935. His career included roles like Leader of the Opposition and Foreign Secretary.
The Ramsay MacDonald Blue plaque is a reminder of his legacy. It is a testament to his impact on British politics. As we stand here let’s reflect on his life. He lived and worked in this very house. His influence is forever etched in history.