5 links to literature that showcase Canterbury’s cultural impact

When walking around Canterbury it would be hard to avoid its very rich literary history, with everything from statues, plaques and even a whole theatre dedicated to bygone figures from the city who made massive contributions to literature. You can go to a number of events celebrating these connections and a brand new children’s literature festival is launching in Canterbury this July which you can find out more about here.

This is a rundown of five of the most prominent connections Canterbury has to literary history.

Rupert Bear – a childhood staple

The iconic children’s book character was created in 1920 by the husband and wife duo Herbert and Mary Tourtel. 

Mrs Tourtel was born here in Canterbury, the daughter of an artist who restored stained glass at the Cathedral. On Ivy Lane you can find the commemorative plaque for Mrs Tourtel and her creation Rupert Bear.

Patrick Leigh Fermor – the King’s School

The writer and scholar spent a brief two years living in Canterbury when he attended the King’s School from 1929 to 1931. 

During his time in the city, he became involved with the daughter of a local greengrocer on Dover Road, but this encounter would ultimately lead to his expulsion from the school for ‘inappropriate behaviour’.  

The pairing broke social taboos and Fermor’s early departure from his studies led to the travels that formed the basis of his literary works. 

In 2007, Fermor returned to the educational institution to open a new facility at the age of 92. 

Christopher Marlowe – playwright of Canterbury

Christopher Marlowe was born in Canterbury in 1564. His father was a shoemaker and, much like Mr. Fermor, Christopher attended the King’s School before going to the University of Cambridge.

The Poet and Playwright is well known among people in Canterbury, having the Marlowe Theatre in the city centre being named after him.

Aphra Behn – a pioneer for women in literature

The first professional woman writer in the English language, Aphra Behn was also a poet and playwright and she grew up here in Canterbury.

Behn was memorialised with a statue on the High Street in February of this year (2025). Located outside the Beaney, the statue stands directly on the ground with no plinth so that passersby can pose and interact with the historical figure.  

Canterbury Tales – putting Canterbury on the map

Geoffrey Chaucer was a writer and poet considered the “Father of English Literature” and Canterbury is heavily featured in what is arguably his most well known work.

An important piece of historical literature, Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories written in Middle English between 1387 and 1400. It follows a group of 30 pilgrims travelling to Canterbury Cathedral from London to see the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket.