The memorial plaque reads:

Evgeny Zamyatin

1884-1937

The outstanding Russian writer lived here in 1916-17.

Newcastle became the basis for his early works.

His masterpiece "We" had a significant influence on Orwell in creating "1984."

Evgeny Ivanovich Zamyatin (January 20 (February 1) 1884 - March 10, 1937) was a Russian writer known for his works in the genres of science fiction and political satire. He is best known for the novel "We," written in 1921, which describes a dystopian police state of the future.

Although Zamyatin was a prominent old Bolshevik, he was deeply concerned about the policies pursued by the CPSU after the October Revolution. In 1921, his novel "We" became the first work banned by Soviet censorship. As a result, Zamyatin organized a secret shipment of "We" to the West for publication. The outrage within the party and the Union of Soviet Writers led to the approval of his request for exile from the country. For using literature to critique Soviet society, Zamyatin is considered one of the first Soviet dissidents.