Blue Plaque: J. S. Haldane

The blue plaque at 11 Crick Road commemorates the residence of a distinguished family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The house was home to John Scott Haldane, a renowned physiologist, his wife Louisa, and their children: J. B. S. Haldane, a prominent geneticist and evolutionary biologist, and Naomi Mitchison, a celebrated novelist. The family later moved to 'Cherwell' at the end of Linton Road, now the location of Wolfson College on the banks of the River Cherwell. (en.wikipedia.org)

The Haldane family's residence at 11 Crick Road is part of a rich historical tapestry in the area. Notably, 7 Crick Road was the home of historian Arthur Lionel Smith and his wife Mary Smith, who lived there from 1879 to 1893. Their nine children, six of whom were born at the house, contributed to the vibrant academic and cultural life of Oxford. In the 20th century, 7 Crick Road became the residence of John Kelly, the Principal of St. Edmund Hall, who later bequeathed the property to the college in 1997. (en.wikipedia.org)

Another notable figure associated with Crick Road is George Claridge Druce, a botanist and Mayor of Oxford. In 1909, he moved to 9 Crick Road, naming the house "Yardley Lodge" after his childhood village of Yardley Gobion. Druce's contributions to botany and local governance left a lasting impact on the community. (en.wikipedia.org)

The blue plaque at 11 Crick Road serves as a testament to the Haldane family's significant contributions to science and literature, as well as their influence on the cultural and academic landscape of Oxford. Their legacy continues to inspire and inform the city's rich history.