The Spanish Keats

As part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Keats House opening to the public, they are inviting you to explore the little-known Spanish Keats connections.

Fanny Keats, the beloved younger sister of the poet, married the Spanish writer and politician Valentín Llanos in 1826. He was in exile in London due to the restoration of absolutist king Ferdinand VII, upon whose death the couple moved to Spain. Valentín and Fanny lived first in Valladolid and then in Madrid until their deaths in 1886 and 1889 respectively. The couple is buried in Madrid’s San Isidro cemetery. Fanny had taken memories and documents belonging to her dear brother with her to Spain, which were eventually given to Keats House by Fanny’s descendants.

Rafael Peñas Cruz, of Goat Star Books, translator and publisher of Keats Now, a bilingual English/Spanish anthology of the poet’s work, will explore this Spanish Keats legacy and its contribution to the Keats House collection.