Reading, Berkshire

Reading is a town and unitary authority in Berkshire in England, at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, halfway between London and Oxford. The district has a population of over 144,000. Reading is probably the most important business centre in South East England and outside Greater London, often referred to as the capital of the Thames Valley with the headquarters of some major British companies and the UK offices of a number of major foreign multinationals. The name Reading is pronounced to rhyme with bedding (in IPA {{IPA|/ˈrɛdɪŋ/}}).

Literature

Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading (HM Prison) from 1895 to 1897. While he was there he wrote De Profundis, which was published in 1905. After his release he lived in exile in Paris and wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol, published in 1908.

Related Topics:
Oscar Wilde - Reading (HM Prison) - 1895 - 1897 - De Profundis - 1905 - Paris - The Ballad of Reading Gaol - 1908

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Thomas Hardy painted a rather disparaging picture of the town, lightly disguised as Aldbrickham, in his 1895 novel Jude the Obscure.

Related Topics:
Thomas Hardy - 1895 - Jude the Obscure

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T_E_Lawrence lost the first draft of his Seven Pillars of Wisdom at Reading train station.

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Thomas Noon Talfourd, the judge and dramatist was born in Reading and later became MP for the town.

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Mary Russell Mitford lived in Reading for a number of years and then spent the rest of her life just outside the town at Three Mile Cross and Swallowfield.

Related Topics:
Mary Russell Mitford - Three Mile Cross - Swallowfield

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Charles Dickens was asked to stand as MP for Reading, but declined. He became president of the Reading Athenaeum. In his Bleak House, Esther Summerson goes to school in Reading.

Related Topics:
Charles Dickens - Bleak House

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