The Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, have finally been given the proper recognition they deserve at Westminster Abbey’s Poets’ Corner. The memorial, installed in 1939, had been missing diaereses above the letter “e” in the authors’ surname, leading to an incorrect pronunciation of “Bront” instead of “Bronte.”
Historian Sharon Wright noticed the error and brought it to the attention of the Dean of Westminster, Dr. David Hoyle. The abbey’s stonemason was then tasked with adding the dots and the conservator painted them, completing the memorial with the correct spelling of the Brontë sisters’ name.
Ms. Wright expressed her pride in seeing the Brontë sisters’ name finally complete in Poets’ Corner, calling it a “Brontë story with a happy and timely ending.” Dr. Hoyle acknowledged the omission and emphasized the importance of accurate memory and remembrance.
Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, shared her excitement over the correction, stating that it is fitting for the beloved authors to have their name spelled correctly on their memorial. The news has been met with enthusiasm by Brontë enthusiasts worldwide.
The addition of the diaereses to the Brontë sisters’ memorial serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of these literary icons and the importance of preserving their history with accuracy and respect.
