 Shaw's Corner
As he approached his middle age, George Bernard Shaw began looking for
a modest, country house with reasonable access to London. A few miles
outside of Welwyn Garden City, an unattractive Edwardian house in the
village of Ayot St Lawrence provided the perfect solution. Built as
the 'New Rectory', this house was sufficiently isolated to give George Bernard Shaw
the peace and quiet he desired for his writing, yet not so remote that
it was an easy journey back to London. For nearly 14 years George Bernard Shaw rented
the house from the Church, buying it eventually in 1920, and he spent
the majority of his advanced years in the seclusion of his garden. In
November 1950 he died at Shaw's Corner, and the house became a shrine
to him and his great literary works.
Born in Dublin, George Bernard Shaw did
not enjoy a happy childhood and suffered a poor education. In 1876 he
arrived in London and immediately set about educating himself in the arts.
With interests ranging from politics, art, the theatre and writing, he
joined many of the fashionable London societies. George Bernard Shaw's early living was
earned mostly through journalism, as an art and music critic. Once established
as a playwright, he pursued a lively social life, surrounded by actresses,
feminists and other influential women. As a friend and admirer of William
Morris, George Bernard Shaw's charm rested momentarily on May Morris, his daughter, but
her heart was broken in common with scores more who had fallen for this
theatrical philanderer. Aged 42, George Bernard Shaw married Charlotte
Payne-Townshend, a lady of some means who had a passion for travel, but
who came from a startling similar background to Shaw.
With his popularity at
its peak during the early years of the 20th century, George Bernard Shaw
welcomed the solace of his countryside retreat. Here he could relax,
write uninterrupted from his revolving hut in the garden, and entertain
invited guests when it suited him. During his life, George Bernard Shaw wrote many
books, plays, and film scores, and received a number of accolades in
recognition of his great works. The Nobel Prize for Literature in 1926,
and an Oscar for 'Pygmalion' in 1938 are just two of the most noted.
Less time was spent in London with the onset of the Second World War
air raids, and the deteriorating health of Charlotte, and after her
death in 1943 George Bernard Shaw remained permanently at Shaw's Corner.
Known locally as a bit of
a recluse, showing eccentric tendencies, Shaw remained extraordinarily
energetic right up to the time of his death. Shaw's Corner is full of quotes
and verses displaying his often wry humour, and his vitalistic attitude
to life. One example is a response to an enquiry about his well-being
when he replies "At my age, young man, you are either well or dead".
After his death, his ashes were scattered around the garden and all the
personal memorabilia from his London home was transferred to Shaw's Corner.
For the past 50 years, this quite unremarkable, dreary vicarage building,
has provided a cosy, welcoming atmosphere in which visitors are given
the opportunity to delve more deeply into the life of this literary genius. |
