Anne Naysmith

Anne Naysmith (1937 - 10 February 2015) was a British classical pianist who became notable later in life for sleeping rough in Chiswick, West London.[1][2]

Naysmith studied with Harold Craxton and Liza Fuchsova at the Royal Academy of Music, and gave a well received recital at Wigmore Hall in 1967, but experienced personal difficulties in the late 1960s and was evicted from her house in Prebend Gardens, Chiswick.[1] Following her eviction Naymsith slept in her car for 26 years until 2002 when it was towed away following campaigning from neighbours to have it removed.[3] Naysmith then lived in a handmade shelter next to Stamford Brook Underground station.[1][4]

The Guardian noted parallels with Mary Shepherd, the subject of Alan Bennett's 1999 play The Lady in the Van, who had also been a classical pianist.[2]

Naysmith died after being hit by a truck.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Obituary: Anne Naysmith". The Daily Telegraph. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  2. 1 2 Steven Morris (11 February 2015). "From concert pianist to lady in the car: the extraordinary life of Anne Naysmith". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Emily Cockayne (2012). Cheek by Jowl: A History of Neighbours. Random House. p. 196. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Homeless concert pianist's anger over shelter's removal". BBC News. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
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