Plaque unveiled at library honouring Sir Terry Pratchett
Left to right: Mayoress Jacqui Hogan, Mayor Patrick Hogan, a costumed Pratchett fan, Rhianna Pratchett, another superfan, Pratchett's business manager Rob Wilkins, County Chairman Val Letheren, Town Crier Dick Smith and Deputy Mayor Chris Owen
Mayor Patrick Hogan unveils the plaque with Rhianna Pratchett and Business Manager Rob Wilkins, in front of watching media and fans
A plaque honouring Sir Terry Pratchett has been unveiled at Beaconsfield Library, where the late author once worked.
The plaque, which was commissioned by Beaconsfield Town Council, was unveiled by Sir Terry’s daughter Rhianna and Business Manager Rob Wilkins, alongside Mayor Patrick Hogan today (Tuesday, March 7).
Sir Terry, who sold 85 million books worldwide and is best known for his Discworld series, grew up in Beaconsfield and was a Saturday boy at the town’s library, where he borrowed and read countless books.
In his Who’s Who entry, Sir Terry credits the library with his ‘education’. In 2013 during a talk at the library, he told his fans he owed a great deal of his success to the time spent there during his youth. He donated all proceeds from the event to the library.
Councillor Philip Bastiman, Chairman of the Open Spaces Committee at Beaconsfield Town Council, said: “It is only right that there is a permanent celebration of Sir Terry in the town where he was born, and what better place than at the library which first sparked his amazing imagination. The town council is proud to have commissioned this plaque commemorating one of Beaconsfield’s most famous sons.”
Sir Terry’s daughter Rhianna said: “Dad was born in Beaconsfield, but Terry Pratchett the author was born at Beaconsfield Library. This was the place Dad got his education, where he indulged his love of reading. This feels like the perfect tribute to him.”
The plaque is located on the outside of the library, near the entrance. Several Pratchett fans travelled to the event from as far away as Leeds and Swansea, with some dressed as their favourite characters.
Sir Terry died in 2015 from Alzheimer’s Disease, aged 66. In February the BBC screened a docu-drama about his life, which featured the library and also his time working as a reporter on The Bucks Free Press.
Councillor Margaret Aston, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement at Buckinghamshire County Council, which runs the library, said: “We’re so pleased to have a plaque at the library celebrating Sir Terry. His experience shows just how important libraries are in their local communities, and the role they play in inspiring future generations.”