“Literary powerhouse” Barbara Taylor Bradford was one of the best-selling novelists of the 20th century and her legacy and impact has long been assured.
But on Thursday (February 26), Leeds came together to mark the place where she first started nurturing her love for reading and writing - Armley Library - with a blue plaque.
The lord mayor, Dan Cohen, described it as a “momentous moment” and Barbara Taylor Bradford, who started her career as a fledgling reporter at the Yorkshire Evening Post, was described at various points as an “icon” and “the true woman of substance”.
The plaque will be placed outside of the front of the library in tribute to the Armley-born novelist, who died aged 91 in November 2024, peacefully at home and “surrounded by her loved ones”.
The below gallery features our pictures from the spirit lifting event.
1. Barbara Taylor Bradford
The event to celebrate the blue plaque unveiling for Barbara Taylor Bradford was held at Armley Library on Thursday, February 26. | Tony Johnson
2. Legacy
Among those in attendance were Moira and Chris Corcoran, who now live in the house Barbara Taylor Bradford grew up in. Barbara was a frequent visitor to Armley Library and a voracious reader growing up. She had two library cards to ensure she could take out double the amount of books. | Tony Johnson
3. Acting royalty
Speeches were read out from a number of guests, including award-winning actress Brenda Blethyn OBE, who will play Emma Harte in an upcoming Channel 4-produced series of Taylor Bradford's mega-hit and debut novel, 'A Woman Of Substance'. | Tony Johnson
4. 'A real privilege'
Ms Blethyn spoke of the 'resilience' that Taylor Bradford gave to the character, saying: "Barbara gave her a brain, but more importantly than that, she gave her the affront, the daring to use it. “Playing Emma Harte was a real privilege but it also came with a lot of responsibility because you have to carry the story on to a new generation and safeguard that legacy." | Tony Johnson
5. An amazing legacy
Ms Blethyn unveiled the plaque along with Barbara's close friends and the trustees of the Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust, W. Randall Jones and H.E. Vicki Downey, who had travelled from the USA to be present for the event. Applause rippled through the room as the blue plaque was presented to the crowd. | Tony Johnson
6. 'A voracious reader'
Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Vicki Downey said that Barbara was the youngest person in Leeds to have been given two library cards. She said: "Right to the end she was a voracious reader; whether it be children's or non-fiction. She didn't judge anybody and just enjoyed what she was reading." | Tony Johnson