RQG Student member Debbie Dunne will be unveiling a blue plaque this Saturday, 9th April, at Wandlebank in Merton, south-west London, for Frank Kitz (1849-1923).

This is an event related to Debbie’s research into Kitz’s life over the past fifteen years conducted with his descendant, Lynda Cazeaux.  Kitz had been a dyer at William Morris’ Merton Abbey works and an editor for Morris’ Commonweal socialist publication for a time. 

Kitz’s socialist activities may raise an eyebrow or two as some would say he later became rather radical in his approach. Still, at the heart of it, he was trying to better the working conditions for poorly paid skilled and unskilled workers between c.1870 and 1923.