Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Preserving the Legacy of Romantic Poets Since 1903
Founded in 1903, we are the custodians of the Keats-Shelley House in Rome, where John Keats spent his final days. Our mission extends beyond preservation to fostering global appreciation of Romantic literature through scholarly publications, international writing competitions, and cultural outreach. We maintain the graves of Keats, Shelley, and their contemporaries in Rome's non-Catholic Cemetery, ensuring their legacies endure for future generations.Our annual Keats-Shelley and Young Romantics Prizes identify emerging literary talent worldwide, while the Keats-Shelley Review serves as a leading academic journal on Romanticism. Through educational programs, digital initiatives, and public events, we bridge historical scholarship with contemporary engagement, operating as a registered charity (No. 212692) with the support of our global Friends network.
Services
Keats-Shelley House Conservation
Romantic Literature Publications
International Writing Competitions
Historical Site Maintenance
Literary Scholarship Support
Details
- Year established: 1903
Highlights and features
- We have over a century of experience preserving Romantic literary heritage.
- Our annual writing prizes discover global poetic talent.
- We maintain original Romantic-era sites in Rome.
- Our scholarly publications set academic standards in Romantic studies.
- We offer bursaries and fellowships for emerging literary scholars.
Services
Keats-Shelley House Conservation
We maintain the Keats-Shelley House in Rome, where John Keats lived his final days. Our conservation efforts preserve original artifacts, library collections, and exhibition spaces. This work ensures the house remains a cultural landmark for scholars and visitors worldwide.
Romantic Literature Publications
We publish the bi-annual Keats-Shelley Review, a leading journal on Romanticism. The publication features peer-reviewed articles, contemporary poetry, and prize-winning essays. Our editorial board includes experts from institutions like King's College London and Princeton University.
International Writing Competitions
Our annual Keats-Shelley and Young Romantics Prizes identify emerging poets and essayists globally. These competitions celebrate excellence in Romantic-inspired writing. Winners receive recognition, publication opportunities, and financial awards to support their literary development.
Historical Site Maintenance
We preserve the graves of Keats, Shelley, and their contemporaries in Rome's non-Catholic Cemetery. Our conservation includes structural maintenance and historical interpretation. This work ensures these significant sites remain accessible to visitors and scholars.
Literary Scholarship Support
We offer the Sheila Birkenhead Bursary and Keats-Shelley Fellowship for emerging scholars. These programs support research into Romantic literature and its cultural impact. Recipients gain access to our archives and academic networks.
People
Sir Ivor Roberts
Chair
Chair of KSMA, Sir Ivor Roberts, is a distinguished diplomat and former President of Trinity College, Oxford, with a deep commitment to literary heritage preservation.
Dr Ella Kilgallon
Curator
Dr Ella Kilgallon serves as Curator of the Keats-Shelley House in Rome, overseeing collections management, exhibitions, and public engagement programs for the historic site.
Dr James Grande
Editor
Dr James Grande edits the Keats-Shelley Review, managing academic submissions and maintaining the journal's scholarly standards as part of King's College London's English department.
James Kidd
Friends Secretary
James Kidd manages KSMA's Friends program, coordinating membership benefits including journal access, event discounts, and exclusive museum tours for supporters worldwide.
Laura Savio Foster
Hon. Treasurer
Laura Savio Foster serves as Honorary Treasurer, overseeing financial stewardship for the Association's conservation projects, publications, and international literary initiatives.
Questions
How can I support the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association?
You can become a Friend of KSMA, leave a legacy, or make a donation. Friends receive the Keats-Shelley Review, event discounts, and museum access.
What writing competitions do you offer?
We run the annual Keats-Shelley Prize for poetry and Young Romantics Prize for under-18s, with cash awards and publication opportunities for winning entries.
Can I visit the Keats-Shelley House in Rome?
Yes, the House is open to visitors with guided tours and online panoramic experiences. Friends of KSMA receive free entry to the museum.
How do you preserve Romantic literary heritage?
Through house conservation, grave maintenance, academic publications, and educational programs that connect historical Romanticism with contemporary audiences.
What scholarly resources do you provide?
The Keats-Shelley Review offers peer-reviewed research, while our archives and bursaries support academic study of Romantic literature and its cultural impact.
