Anne Naysmith

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

She was born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex in 1937. Her family moved to Hounslow, West London when she was eight. The 'Nay' was added much later.[3]

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.[4] Naysmith then lived in a handmade shelter next to Stamford Brook Underground station.[1][5]

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. "Obituary: Anne Naysmith". The Daily Telegraph. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  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. "A musician of promise and then a concert pianist. But she died a homeless recluse." The Guardian 12 February 2015 page 11
  4. Emily Cockayne (2012). Cheek by Jowl: A History of Neighbours. Random House. p. 196. ISBN 9781409027737. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  5. "Homeless concert pianist's anger over shelter's removal". BBC News. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
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