John Hewitt (1907-1987) was a prominent Belfast poet and the first writer-in-residence at Queen’s University Belfast in 1976. He lived at 18 Mount Charles Street and made significant contributions to both literature and the arts.
From November 1930 to 1957, Hewitt worked at the Belfast Museum & Art Gallery. After being overlooked for a promotion in 1953, he moved to Coventry to become the Director of the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, where he served until his retirement in 1972.
Hewitt was politically active, describing himself as “a man of the left.” He was involved with the British Labour Party, the Fabian Society, and the Belfast Peace League.
Hewitt’s legacy is celebrated through the annual John Hewitt International Summer School and, more uniquely, by a Belfast pub named in his honour—the John Hewitt Bar and Restaurant, located on Donegall Street, which opened in 1999.
If you fancy learning more about the Queen’s Quarter, come on my tour of the area! Details are here.