Mary Anne Evans is one of the most inspirational novelists this nation has ever seen. Writing under the name George Eliot she rose to fame in the nineteenth century with a number of classic novels including titles such as Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss and Middlemarch. She composed several poems and wrote on a number of different subjects.

Next year will be 200 years since the birth of the author who assumed a male sounding name to help her succeed in a male dominated environment. With 2018 marking the anniversary of votes for women isn't it time she was recognised with this tribute?

We call on the Treasury and the Bank of England to put George Eliot on the new £50 note.