A total of nine new blue plaques will be erected throughout London to commemorate individuals who have significantly influenced the city’s development.

Among those being honored are the late Sir Laurence Olivier, a distinguished actor; filmmaker Jill Craigie; Brigadier Dudley Clarke, a military strategist from World War Two; and journalist Duse Mohamed Ali.

Additionally, anti-racism advocate Kamal Chunchie, astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, social reformer Gertrude Tuckwell, writer Stefan Zweig, and Victorian-era photographer Julia Margaret Cameron will also be celebrated.

According to Matt Thompson, the curatorial director of English Heritage, these individuals represent “an incredible diversity of accomplishments—spanning scientific advancements, artistic breakthroughs, activism, and political advocacy.”

He added, “Each of them has contributed, in their unique way, to shaping London into a hub of creativity, ideas, and reform, and their legacies remain relevant today.”

Sir Laurence Olivier, who passed away in 1989, enjoyed a remarkable career on film, featuring in several Hollywood productions, and received 11 Academy Award nominations, winning three, including an honorary Oscar in 1980 for his film contributions and an earlier honorary award in 1948 for his theatrical adaptation of Henry V.

Craigie is being honored for her impactful films, such as Out Of Chaos and Blue Scar. Chunchie is recognized for his advocacy work supporting Black and Asian communities in London, especially for his efforts against housing discrimination, while Ali is celebrated for his fight for racial equality.

Payne-Gaposchkin is acknowledged for her groundbreaking contributions to our comprehension of the universe and her role in paving the way for women in science. Tuckwell is recognized for her efforts improving conditions for workingwomen, and Zweig is noted for his writings that explored European culture and the consequences of war.

English Heritage has stated that the plaques are subject to approval from the respective sites where they will be installed, typically locations where these individuals lived or worked.

The blue plaque initiative relies on public suggestions, provided that the individuals have passed away for at least two decades and that at least one building in Greater London connected to them remains largely unchanged.

Launched in 1866, the London blue plaques scheme is considered to be the oldest initiative of its kind globally.