Thu Sep 26 15:01:03 UTC 2024: ## Brontë Sisters’ Memorial Finally Corrected After 85 Years
**London, UK** – A long-overlooked error on the Brontë sisters’ memorial in Westminster Abbey has finally been rectified, 85 years after its unveiling. Historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, discovered that the inscription on the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë had been missing the diaereses above the ‘e’ in their surname.
These two dots, which indicate the correct pronunciation of the name, had been omitted in 1939 when the memorial was installed. Ms. Wright raised the issue with the Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, who immediately commissioned the abbey’s stonemason to add the diaereses.
The omission was discovered through meticulous research conducted by Ms. Wright, who expressed concern about the incorrect spelling impacting the legacy of the renowned authors. The Brontë Society, dedicated to preserving the sisters’ heritage, had explicitly requested the diaereses be included in a letter to the Dean in 1939, but the instructions were overlooked.
The correction has been met with joy and relief from the Brontë Society and enthusiasts worldwide. Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, stated, “As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial.”
The Dean expressed gratitude for Ms. Wright’s diligence and the Brontë Society’s commitment to preserving historical accuracy. “Memory is not a locked cupboard, but an active thing,” he remarked, highlighting the ongoing importance of ensuring accurate representation.
The corrected inscription stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Brontë sisters, whose literary works continue to inspire readers generations later.
First Piper 