Francis William Bourdillon blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Francis William Bourdillon (1852-1921) Bourdillon was born at Trinity Parsonage on Halton Road. He was the eldest son of Rev. Francis Bourdillon, who from 1851 to 1854 was Perpetual Curate at Holy Trinity Church. The family moved to Woolbeding in West Sussex in 1855, when his father was appointed Rector at All Hallows Church. Although he wrote hundreds of poems, he is best remembered for his celebrated short poem called 'The Night Has A Thousand Eyes'. 'The night has a thousand eyes, And the day but one; Yet the light of the bright world dies when day is done. The mind has a thousand eyes, And the heart but one; Yet the light of a whole life dies When love is done'. For a time he acted as tutor to the sons of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, who had come to England through his marriage to Princess Helena, Queen Victoria's daughter. He died at his home, Buddington House, near Midhurst in West Sussex. He is buried next to his wife in All Hallows Churchyard, the same churchyard where his father was buried. This plaque hangs on the building which was once Runcorn Market Hall. Built partly from local sandstone in 1856, it became the swimming baths in 1907. Recorded plaque organisation: Runcorn Heritage.

Francis William Bourdillon (1852-1921) was a British poet best remembered for his short poem 'The Night Has A Thousand Eyes', which has become a celebrated piece of Victorian literature.