Islington

Streets with a story – The book of Islington by Eric A Willats FLA.

The introduction can be found here

First published 1986: Islington Local History Education Trust
Digital edition (revised) 2017: Islington Heritage Service

For ease of reading, we have distributed some of Eric Willats’ text throughout the street articles linked to from here

Islington A-D (this page)
Islington E-K
Islington L-R
Islington S-Z

• Abbot’s Close, N1
• Aberdeen Lane, N5
• Aberdeen Park, N5
• Aberdeen Road, N5
• Aberystwyth Terrace, N1
• Aboukir Villas, N19 at the end of Bavaria Road
• Ada Villas, N19 became  157-171 Elthorne Road
• Ada Lewis House, N7 was a hostel for women and girls

ADAMS COURT, Lower Road (1835) in rate books until 1855; not in an 1855 local directory or ones up to 1870; on
the 1871 Census. Not in the 1881 Census or 1882 directory.
ADAMS PLACE, Holloway
In rate books to 1855, near Georges Place,
Holloway. On 1871 and 1886 censuses.
ADAMS PLACE
2-22,23-43. Council Rhodes St. Development. Blocks 3 and 4 numbered. GLC allocated 1977.
ADDINGTON MANSIONS, Highbury Grange (1922)
107 dwellings of four-storeyed blocks opened 29 July 1922 by the Mayor, Alderman H.G. Coleman, JP. Named after
Frederick John Addington, a former Alderman (until 1925) who served for six years on the Council of the
Metropolitan Borough of Islington. On 25 November 1953 the Finsbury Park branch of the Amalgamated Society of
Woodworkers made him a presentation and commemorated his work of over forty years for the Trade Union
movement. The Mansions were on the site of several villas in Highbury Park and on the south side of Highbury
Grange.
After 1977 re-named Taverner Square after a Louis Taverner, one of several Highbury Grange landowners of 1848
and Peckett Square, after George Peckett who lived at 10, now no.6 Aberdeen Park (see PECKETT SQUARE).
ADELAIDE SQUARE (Between Shepperton Road and South St)
Since 1938 BASIRE STREET. Still on a street list for 1955.
ADELAIDE TERRACE, Lower Street (1831) Last in the 1970 Register of Electors under DAME STREET.
ADRIAN HOUSE, Carne.g.ie Street (1952) Judith Adrian married 30 April 1674 Sir Nicholas Crispe. See CRISPE HOUSE.
ADSTOCK HOUSE, Upper St (1970) Adstock is 3 miles NW of Winslow, Bucks.
AFFLECK STREET
Since the beginning of the 19th century until 1884 on the site of the former London Female Penitentiary, formerly Cumming House. See CUMMING STREET.
Affleck, the name approved in 1884, is after Admiral Sir Edmund Afleck (d.1788) who sailed with Rodney to relieve Gibraltar. His brother Philip (1726-99) served with Rodney in the West Indies.

Agdon Street, EC1

AGRICULTURAL HALL
See LIVERPOOL ROAD.
AIRDRIE CLOSE, Carnoustie Drive (1973) Airdrie is in Lanarkshire, 11m. east of Glasgow.
ALBANY COTTAGES, Aldhous Terrace, Barnsbury Park (1849)
After 1863 part of nos. 81-105 Offord Road.
ALBANY COTTAGES, Popham Street (c.1883-90)
On 1890 register of electors; last on 1970 register of electors.
ALBANY PLACE, Hornsey Road (1840) Last entered under Benwell Road in the East Div. register of electors 1966.
ALBANY PLACE, Queensland Road Dated originally from 1840. The Albany Mission was formerly a day school. In 1874 a Mr L J Smith was introduced to the work at the Albany Mission, took over the unpaid mortgage and from 1876 carried on the work there. This was when it was a branch mission and Sunday School attached to the Holloway Chapel. The whole Smith family were connected with the work of the Albany Mission and in October 1953 a farewell service was held to commemorate this. In August 1954 a special flower service was held to commemorate Mr Lancelot Smith’s ‘thirty years devoted work’. In September 1956 the Rev F C Dakin the then Minister left to take up a Hull appointment and in July 1961 it ceased to be used as a place of worship. It was acquired by the Council, demolished and the site used as an extension to the Council’s Cleansing Depot, Ashburton Grove. Mr Harold Smith on 27th July 1962 laid the foundation stone of the Islington Central Methodist Church (see PALMER PLACE) and the Albany Hall, Palmer Place, Liverpool Road.
ALBANY ROAD, Barnsbury Park (1826) First entered in the 1826 rate books; after 1866 nos. 107-133 Offord Road.
ALBANY ROW
1839-40 part of Albany Road.
ALBEMARLE MANSIONS, Holloway Road, (1898)
ALBEMARLE STREET, Clerkenwell Road, EC1 (c.1661-2)
Since 1937 ALBEMARLE WAY. Renumbered in 1905.
The buildings in the street were raised soon after the Restoration. Named after George Monck or Monk, Duke of Albemarle a favourite warrior of the period, distinguished at Breda 1637, Governor of Ulster 1647, Commander-in-Chief under Cromwell in Scotland, 1651. Was also an Admiral after 1652, First Lord of the Treasury 1667.
The residence of James Carr (c.1742-1821) the architect of St James w. St John & St Peter, Clerkenwell Green, was on
the north side (no.12). Here two other noted architects, Samuel Ware (1781-1860) and Edmund Atkin (1780-1820)
passed their articled clerkships. In the graveyard of the church and close to the street (i.e. the St John’s Church) is the
memorial tablet to Henry Wilkes Booth, aged 20,died 16 April 1837 who lived at no.8 late 1783-1810. A relative of
his assassinated President Lincoln 14 April 1865.
ALBEMARLE WAY
Before 1937, Albemarle Street.
ALBERT MANSIONS, Crouch Hill (1903)
ALBERT MANSIONS, 359b Liverpool Road (1908)
Re-habilitated 1977.
ALBERT PLACE, Hornsey Road (1855-1914) Then INSTOW PLACE (c.1915-1959).
ALBERT PLACE, ALBERT ROAD Both c.1859. The 1860 directory only gives nos. 1 -6 Albert Road and nos.28,29,31 -33
and nos 1 -3 Albert Place. After 1878-9 MIRANDA ROAD, Upper Holloway.
ALBERT SQUARE, Holloway (1854) On Census for 1861,1871 and 1881; on 1871 large scale OS map behind Swan
Yard. In 1867 the North London Railway acquired additional land and houses in Albert Square and stopped up Albert
St. Not on a large 1894/6 OS map.
ALBERT STREET, Holloway (1854) On 1861,1871 and 1881 Censuses.
ALBERT STREET, Penton St (1853) Since 1938, CULPEPER STREET.
ALBERT TERRACE, Balls Pond (1844) In 1863 Directory under Balls Pond Rd. By 1866 nos.164-128 Balls Pond Road.
ALBERT TERRACE, Battle Bridge (1849) By 1870 nos.37-45 Wharfdale Road, see under WHARF ROAD.
ALBERT TERRACE, White Conduit Street (1851)
By 1895 DENMARK ROAD. Since 1937 DEWEY ROAD.
ALBERT VILLAS, Seven Sisters Road (1855) After 1871 and by 1874,1-9 Albert Villas. By 1874 nos.137-153 Seven
Sisters Road.
ALBION COTTAGES. Liverpool Road. From 1822-30 OLDFIELD COTTAGES. By 1870 330-336 Liverpool Road also
Thornhill Road (see 1855 Directory).
ALBION GROVE, Barnsbury Road (1836) After 1921 RIPPLEVALE GROVE (q.v.). In 1867 Albion Grove and Albion Grove
West (1844) were to be named Albion Grove throughout, subsidiary names abolished and the houses re-numbered
alternately.
From 1860-66 no.10 was the home of Hannah Lawrence (1785-1875) authoress of Historical Memoirs of the Queens
of England, 12th-16th Centuries (1839), The History of Woman in England and her Influence on Society and
Literature (1843), The Treasure- Seeker’s Daughter (1852).
ALBION MEWS, Thornhill Road (1980)
ALBION PLACE, Canonbury (1831 by 1866 nos.96-102 Canonbury Road.
ALBION PLACE, Holloway (1844) By 1866 nos. 81-107 Holloway Road.
ALBION PLACE, Dorset Street (1826) in rate books up to 1855.
ALBION PLACE, Thornhill Road (1836) By 1870 nos.3-17 Thornhill Road.
ALBION PLACE, Kings Cross (1827) By 1860 280-300 and the Victoria Hotel, Pentonville Road.
ALBION PLACE EAST, Kings Cross (1850) By 1860 262-276 Pentonville Road.
ALBION PLACE
Before 1824 Georges Court, St John’s Lane. There in 1720. Christopher Pinchbeck (16701732) discoverer of a goldlike
alloy of copper and zinc used in jewellery lived here in 1721. He was also a watchmaker, including astronomic
watches and a maker of musical clocks and automatic organs.
Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), wood engraver, was employed in Georges Court, also known for a time as St George’s
Court.
ALBION ROAD, Holloway (1839-40) After 1895 FURLONG ROAD (q.v.).
At no.12 were the Pestalozzian Schools, conducted by a Mr and Mrs Adolf Sonnenschein. Adolf was an Austrian
supporter of Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot (see COPENHAGEN STREET). He settled in England and became
well-known as a teacher, as also were the school-books of his wife Sarah Robinson. She was the daughter of the Rev.
Edmund Stallybrass, for many years a missionary in Siberia. Their son was Edward Adolf Sonnenschein, MA, D.Litt
(Oxon) 1851 -1929, classical scholar, writer and Emeritus Professor of Latin and Greek in the University of
Birmingham (1883-1900 and 1900-1918. His younger son William Swan Sonnenschein founded the publishing house.
Before 1939 their ‘Best Books’ were well- known to librarians and others.
ALBION STREET, Kings Cross (1846) After 1938 BALFE STREET.
ALBION TERRACE, New North Road (1825) In rate books until 1854.
ALBION TERRACE, Thornhill Road (1852) In rate books until 1855.
ALBION TERRACE, Templeton Rd,
Blackstock Rd (1880)
After 1881 117-141 Plimsoll Road.
ALBION TERRACE, Canonbury (1825) By 1866 54-94 Canonbury Road.
ALBION VILLAS, Liverpool Road (1841) By 1868 nos.338, 340 and 344 Liverpool Road.
ALBION VILLAS, Tollington Park (1852) Not on the 1851 Census Index. By 1874 nos.13-17 TOLLINGTON PARK.
ALBION VILLAS, Queens Road, Hornsey Rd. (1848)
By 1874 Queens Rd was Queensland Road. ALDER MEWS
Part of Hargrave Park development from 1981.
ALDERS COURT, Great Arthur St. Formerly Ball Court (1936).
ALDERNEY HOUSE, Marquess Road (1959)
ALDERSGATE STREET, EC1
Nos 107-129 only are Islington, the rest City of London. The name is taken from a gate built in the 9th century in the
City wall by a Saxon builder named Aldred (Ealdred) Aldrich. The gate was called Aldrichgate. It was completely
rebuilt in 1618 and demolished in 1761. A plaque just north of Gresham Street marks its site; this street was badly
bombed in 1940.
ALDERSHAW, Watkinson Road (1954)
ALDERWICK COTTAGES
On the 1851 Census and in the 1852 directory under Barnsbury Grove. By 1874 nos.5. 7, 9 and 15 Barnsbury Grove.
ALDERWICK COURT, Cornelia St 11953)
ALDHOUS TERRACE, Barnsbury Park 1-2 Albany Cottages & Aldhous Terrace (1845).
After 1863 nos. 81-105 OFFORD ROAD.
ALDRICK HOUSE, Cornelia Street (1952) In 1740 Stephen Aldrick was a candidate for the Lectureship of Islington
Parish.
ALEXANDER ROAD, Holloway
On the 1861 Census and in the 1866 directory. In 1872 incorporated Alexander and Lucy Roads and Birds Terrace. In
1950 nos.78-90 were the subject of a compulsory purchase order. Flats were erected on the site. SHAW COURT 1952
and nos.19-26 1965.
ALEXANDRA ROAD, Seven Sisters Road (18781
In directories until 1898 later Stoke Newington (Hackney).
ALEXANDRA TERRACE, Birkbeck Road (1866)
By 1887 nos.24-34 Schofield Rd.
ALEXANDRA VILLAS, Seven Sisters Road (1878)
In directories up to 1905, later Stoke Newington (Hackney).
ALFRED BUILDINGS, Windmill Street. Name abolished by 1938.
ALFRED PLACE, Gee St.
‘Alfred Place’ abolished 1888, premises re-numbered.
ALFRED PLACE, Camden Road In rate books 1851-3.
ALFRED PLACE, Hornsey Road (1830) On all censuses until 1881. By 1887 nos. 217-225 Hornsey Road.
ALFRED PLACE, Maiden Lane On 1855 rate book.
ALFRED STREET, River Terrace (1839) Since 1938 ELIA STREET.
ALFRED STREET, Westbourne Road (c.1866)
By 1894 SONNING STREET.
ALFRED STREET, King’s Cross (1850) After c.1877 Huntley St, St. Pancras.
ALFRED TERRACE, Upper Holloway (1841) In 1870 Directory, Alfred Villas and Alfred Terrace. By 1886 Alfred Terrace
equalled nos. 632, 634 & 648 Holloway Road and Alfred Villas, 650 and 652 Holloway Road.
ALL SAINTS PLACE, Caledonian Road (1847)
On Census 1871 and 1881.
ALL SAINTS STREET, Caledonian Road (1849)
From 1855-1884 St. James’s Terrace. Named after the former church of All Saints, Caledonian Road (architect:
W.Tress) 1837 which seated 1100. Redundant as a church by 1972, it was gutted by an arsonist 12 Sept. 1975 and
demolished by 1978.
ALLEN STREET (1841) After 1937 HAWES STREET.
ALLEN STREET, EC1
Was there 1728. After 1937 DALLINGTON STREET. See also ST. PAUL’S BUILDINGS.
ALLEN STREET, Holloway (1905) By 1906 DIGSWELL STREET.
ALLERTON WALK (1980) Named after Ralph Allerton, one of the ‘Islington Martyrs’. With Richard Roth and James
and Margery Austoo ‘burnt together in one fire’ at Islington, 15 Sept, 1557.
ALLEYN’S & ST. LUKE’S ALMSHOUSES, Bath Street Founded by Edward Alleyn in 1620 in what was then called Pest
House Lane; in 1621 they housed three men and seven women. Rebuilt in 1707 and again in 1874 from T.J. Hill’s
designs, 22 flats. Demolished 1964.
ALLIANCE CLUB (between 43 and 46 Newington Green)
Opened by the Evangelical Alliance since Feb. 1964 as a hostel for overseas students, this attractive building was really the former headquarters of the China Inland Mission founded at Brighton in 1865, and whose London Council was founded at 6 Pyrland Road, 6 August 1872 by James Hudson Taylor (1832-1905), one of the greatest of this country’s missionaries to China. Others sponsored by the Mission included Dr. Robert Lawrence, T.G.Vanstone and
Frank Dymond.
ALLINGHAM STREET
Before 1936, WILLIAM STREET, St. Peter’s St (1847).
Named after John Till Allingham.’an agreeable fellow of jovial disposition’, who died aged only 37, ‘the victim of disease brought on by intemperance’ 28 February 1812. Between about 1799 and 1812 his was a well-known name to all lovers of the drama and the London stage.
His father was a City merchant who had a house in Colebrooke Terrace (later to be incorporated in Duncan Terrace).
He wrote Fortune’s Frolic, The Weathercock and Mrs Wiggs and his plays were produced at the Haymarket, Drury Lane, Covent Garden and Lyceum theatres. Apart from being a leading dramatist of light comedy, John Till was also interested in mechanics and is credited with actually inventing a flying-machine with which he fluttered about his rooms like a dab-chick. He also tried to unsuccessfully as it happened ‘rise in the air with the help of balloons filled with steam’. One of his critics once challenged him to a duel in a turnip field. This young dramatist, J.T.AIIingham, is buried in Bunhill Fields.
ALMA GROVE
On the census returns for 1861, 1871 and 1881 between nos. 72-80 Copenhagen St. (north side). By 1939 re-named
PULTENEY TERRACE.
ALMA ROAD (c.1859)
After 1938 HARECOURT ROAD.
C.P.Roberts (Charles Philip Roberts) set up business as a home decorator in Alma Road and St. Paul’s Road, c.1868,
later to be the firm of C.P.Roberts & Co, builders of among other works, the Central Library, Holloway Road and the
Archway Central Methodist Hall.
ALMA ROAD, Junction Road (c.1859) After 1867 VORLEY ROAD. Both these two roads are named after the battle of
Alma, the first pitched battle of the Crimean War 20 Sept. 1854.
ALMA TERRACE, Thornhill Road (c. 1866-70)
After 1938 BRAYFIELD TERRACE.
ALMA TERRACE, St. Paul’s Road, Canonbury (1860-1) After 1864 CHURCH ROAD. After 1937 NORTHCHURCH ROAD.
Nos.60-154 Northchurch Road were before 1864 Pembroke Terrace.
ALMEIDA STREET
Appears in the rate book for 1838 as WELLINGTON STREET. Re-named Almeida St. in 1890. Almeida, on the border of
Spain and Portugal was the scene of a battle, part of Wellington’s campaign in the Spanish Peninsular War, 1811.
The present ALMEIDA TERRACE was originally the Islington Literary & Scientific Institution, founded 29th November
1832, the building being designed by the architects A.D.Goughand & R.L.Roumieu, those of Milner Square. The
building was built by William Spencer Dove in 1837, founder of the celebrated firm Messrs. Dove Bros. It opened in
1838; in 1841 its membership was 561. It had a 36ft. long Reading Room and a Theatre to accommodate 550. Its
original mss. and printed records are at the Central Library. By 1890 the Salvation Army had bought the property and
it continued in use as a Citadel until 1952. In 1956 ‘Beck’s Carnival Novelties’ had it as a showroom and factory, but
since 1980 it has been the celebrated Almeida Theatre.
The former MYDDELTON HALL on the north side of Almeida St. dated from 1858 and was at 142 Upper St. Here Kate
Greenaway attended art classes, formerly held at Canonbury House, Canonbury Tower. At the rear of where this
was, is another former 1891 Myddelton Hall used as offices and, by shop and store planners.
The first public spelling-bee was held in 1875 at the old Myddelton Hall for a prize of £8 between 32 gentlemen and
18 ladies.
On 27 July 1860 about 120’fallen women’ attended a midnight meeting there and in 1862 the Barnsbury Debating
Society met there.
On 21st January 1907 some of the music hall artistes taking part in the strike against Sir Walter Gibbons which lasted
until the 18th of February took over the Myddelton Hall for a meeting, but later met at the Mildmay Radical Club.
See also under UPPER STREET.
On the site was the five acre garden, PITCAIRN’S BOTANICAL GARDEN owned by Dr. William Pitcairn (1711 -1791) for
30 years physician to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and later its Treasurer. See also BATTISHILL STREET and UPPER
STREET.
ALMINA GROVE, Strouds Vale In 1847-9 rate books.
ALMINA PLACE, Strouds Vale (1846) On 1851 Census and in a rate book for 1855.
ALMINA ROAD, Strouds Vale (1846) On 1851,1861 and 1871 Census.
ALMINA VILLAS, Holloway (near Crane Grove) In 1854 rate book.
ALMINGTON STREET (c.1879-80) Before 1881 for a brief period called Turfe Road North. Almington is in
Staffordshire, near Market Drayton.
ALMORAH ROAD
In July 1863 the Vestry decided that ‘the Gloucester Road (c.1860), including Almorah Terrace be called Almorah
Road throughout’. Almorah (Almora) was the capital in 1815 of Kumaon and stood 5400 feet above sea-level backed
by an immense snowy range of mountains. Colonel Jasper Nicholls of HM the 14th Regiment on 8th of April 1815
captured the ‘clean and well-built town’ and defeated the Gurkhas. The town was ceded by Nepal.
ALMSHOUSE LANE
On a map of 1735. See QUEENS HEAD LANE.
ALPHA COTTAGES, St. Paul’s Road (c.1851) On 1851 and 1861 Census. By 1863 nos.102- 114 St. Paul’s Road.
ALPHA COTTAGES, William Street (1847) On 1851 Census as Alpha Cottages, Great William Street. On 1871 Census
as Alpha Cottages, Maria Terrace.
ALPHA PLACE, Caledonian Road (1846) By 1863 nos. 2,6 and 8 Caledonian Road. In 1938 re-named OME.G.A PLACE.
Also 1984.
ALPHA PLACE EAST, Caledonian Road (1848)
On 1851 and 1861 Census. ALSEN PLACE
Before 1938 MIDDLESEX STREET (1864-5). In the 1945 register of electors; last in 1971 register.

• Alsen Road, N7 named for Alsen, the German form of the Danish island of Als.

ALTON PLACE, Frog Lane In the rate book for 1846.
ALWYNE COTTAGES, Canonbury Park South (c.1851)
By 1866 nos.11-17 Canonbury Park South.
In December 1876 the Islington Vestry suggested to the Metropolitan Board of Works ‘that the thoroughfare now
called Canonbury Place from Alwyne Road be re-named Alwyne Place and the houses be re-numbered’.
No.18 ‘Alwyne House’ was before 1877 no.10, dating from c.1780-90. From 18961905, no.2 was the home of
Thomas William Randall (Harry Randall) (see also CANONBURY GROVE) famous pantomime comedian who did nine
seasons at the old Grand Theatre, Islington High St and left over £33,000.
ALWYNE ROAD (1848)
The garden of no.7 contains a former Elizabethan summer-house.
ABBOTS CLOSE 1955, CAROLINE HOUSE 1967.
ALWYNE SQUARE
First known as such between 1879 and 1881. From 1863 until then CANONBURY PARK SQUARE.
GRICE COURT 1953.
ALWYNE VILLAS
Before 1854 Canonbury Terrace (1826). By 1890-1 incorporated the terrace and was re-numbered. Named after
Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton, the 2nd Marquess of Northampton (1790-1851).
No.23 was from the early 1960s the home of Beatrix Lehmann, the celebrated actress who died in 1979. At no.19
lived the late Dame Flora Robson, DBE, who left Canonbury for Sussex and died in 1984.
Faith Wagstaff (b.1910) artist, fabric designer and printer and one of the best known of the ‘Canonbury Artists’ of the
post-Second World War period lived at no.16.
The garden of no.4 contains an octagonal garden house bearing on its front a ‘rebus’ (architect’s punning device)
consisting of a bolt and tun, commemorating Prior William Bolton who died in 1532, the last Prior of the Canons of
St. Bartholomew, whose country residence was Canonbury House and Tower.
AMBER COURT, Ellington Street (1976)
AMBLER ROAD
Most of the road not older than 1875-6, but some earlier references in the rate books for 1840-7 to some properties
under ‘Seven Sisters Road’ and ‘Blackstock Lane’.
Named after Benjamin Ambler who lived in Blackstock Lane and owned property. In the 1877 Directory as Ambler’s
Road.
In 1900 a Centre for 60 physically and mentally handicapped was opened at the Ambler Road Board School. See
under BLACKSTOCK ROAD.
AM IAS HOUSE, Central Street (1937) Amias is a common variant of Amyas. Amyas Leigh was the hero of Charles
Kingsley’s Westward Hoi (1855). Named after Amyas’s Almshouses (1655) in George Yard which were there as late as
1921.
AMIAS PLACE, Old Street
Formerly George Yard. Originally a cul-de-sac; was there in 1658.
AMORY HOUSE, Carne.g.ie Street (1952) Named after the Rev. Richard Amory, DD, a learned divine and a colleague
of the Rev. Richard Price, DD, FRS of Newington Green Presbyterian Chapel. In 1767 he was one of the trustees of
the Dr. Williams Charities.
AMWELL HOUSE, Cruikshank Street (1958)
AMWELL STREET (c. 1828-9) The New River was cut 1609-13 from Amwell and Ware in Herts; In 1936 the street was
renumbered.
The Clerkenwell Voluntary (I LEA) Primary C.of E. School was originally Clerkenwell Parochial Schools. These were
founded in 1700 first in the schoolhouse yard on the north side of Aylesbury Street. In 1760 the children moved to a
new school in Jerusalem Passage and then when in 1830 its lease expired, moved to Amwell Street. The building was
designed by William Chadwell Mylne, the foundation stone being laid 25 July 1828 by George Byng, MP.
St. Peter and St. Paul R.C. Church was built by John Blyth in 1835 as the Northampton Tabernacle. It was then in 1847
taken over by the Roman Catholic Church. It then became later administered by the Pallottine Fathers.
George Cruikshank (1792-1878), engraver, black and white artist and caricaturist lived in Clerkenwell from 1823-49
first in Myddelton Terrace, later in Amwell Street. A commemorative plaque to George Cruikshank can be seen at 69-
71 Amwell Street.
H.G. Aveling, portrait painter, lived at no. 9 from 1839-42. The Fountain Public House was there as far back as 1833.
CHARLES ALLEN HOUSE 1968.
AMWELL TERRACE (1828) After 1862 part of Great Percy Street.
ANATOLA ROAD, Dartmouth Park Hill (c.1870-1)
On the 1871 Census; not in Islington directories 1870-8 but in a directory for 1882, written Anatolia, the Greek name
for Asia Minor, modern Turkish Anadolu.
ANCHOR HOUSE, Old Street (1963)
ANCHOR YARD, Old Street (c.1799) Before 1843 Anchor Court.
ANCONA ROAD (1881) After 1937 AUBERT ROAD.
ANDERSON’S ROW, City Road (1790) By 1813 changed to Buildings; nos. 17-21 demolished 1856-7. All left renumbered
293307 City Road.
ANDOVER GARDENS (c.1860)
First in the 1886 Islington directory; last in the 1971 register of electors with no.2 only.
ANDOVER GROVE
On the 1851, 1861 and 1871 Census, but first in the 1882 Islington directory.
ANDOVER HOUSE, Andover Estate (1975) Blocks of dwellings on the Andover Estate in some cases were named after
railway junctions e.g. Andover, Barmouth, Chard, Meth ley, Rainford and Yeovil.
ANDOVER ROAD
In the 1860 directory nos. 1,2,4,5,8 and 48 only. On the 1861 Census nos. 1-42 date from 1976.
ANDOVER ROW, Hornsey Road
AMDOVER STREET
On the 1881 Census. In 1888 Islington directory.
ANGEL CENTRE (1981-5) 1 -23 and 25A Pentonville Road and 402433 and 441-5 St. John Street and Chadwell Street.
Occupied by British Telecom 1986.
ANGEL HOUSE, Pentonville Road (1935)
ANGEL & PORTER COURT, Golden Lane. Designated as such in 1811. In 1810and during the 18th century (e.g.
1762/3) known as ANGEL ALLEY.
ANGEL MEWS, 12 Pentonville Road (1919)
ANGEL STATION (City and South London Railway)
The extension from Moorgate authorised in 1893 was opened 1901 and from the Angel to Euston, 1907.
ANGEL TERRACE, Pentonville Road (c.1822)
Name abolished 1857 corner of Medcalf Place and St. John Street.
ANGELL TERRACE, St. Peter’s Street (1848) By 1870 nos. 9-49 St. Peter’s Street.
Named after Samuel Angell in 1848 a surveyor to the Clothworker’s Company.
ANGLE COTTAGES, Wheelwright Street (c1844)
Warder’s quarters as shown on the 1844 Plan of Pentonville Prison.
Shown in the June 1854 rate book as Pentonville Cottages, nos. 1-11.
ANGLERS’GARDENS (also written as Angler Gardens) (c.1797)
These small houses and gardens like Elder Walk and Paradise Place were principally inhabited by persons in the
different branches of the watch-making and other mechanical trades. They were between Frog Lane and the Lower
Road, near Dibden Street.
ANN STREET, Pentonville Road (1787) After 1890 CYNTHIA STREET.
ANN STREET New North Road (1852) After 1911 BEVAN STREET.
Named Ann Street after Dame Ann Packington. See PACKINGTON STREET.
ANNESLEY WALK. N19 (1976)
ANNESLEY ROAD, off Dartmouth Park Hill (c.1871)
On the 1871 Census, first in the 1883 street directory.
The flats Salisbury Walk and Girdlestone Walk on the site 1975/7.
Dr. Samuel Annesly was in 1659 Vicar of St. Giles, Cripple.g.ate. Ejected 1662. Minister of a Dissenters Chapel in
Great St. Helens. His daughter Susannah married Samuel Wesley, another daughter Daniel Defoe in 1683. Susannah
had three sons, Samuel, John and Charles Wesley.
ANNETTE ROAD (c,1865-6)
On the 1871 and 1881 Census. First in the 1866 directory which shows nos. 1-4 only. The Lord Palmerston public
house is in the 1870 directory and nos. 1 -21 Lorraine Cottages, c.1891.
The Annette Road annexe to Highbury Fields School was before 1981 Shelburne Lower School.
ANNETT’S CRESCENT, Lower Road (1822) (built 1819-20)
By 1867 nos.246-294 Essex Road. Named after Thomas James Annett, its originator.
ANN’S PLACE, Balls Pond Road. Kingsland Green (1850)
In rate books up to 1855 and on the 1861 Census.
ANN’S PLACE, Hornsey Road West (1815) Not in street directories 1852-55.
ANNS’ TERRACE, Liverpool Road (1834) By 1870 nos. 126-134 Liverpool Road.
ANSON HOUSE, Essex Road (1899) Restored 1979.
ANSON ROAD
Be.g.un 1860. Shown in directories as only 2 properties until 1870. By 1871 nos. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 13 and no. 2.
In 1876 W.Truefitt, then Surveyor to the Tufnell Park Estate applied to the Metropolitan Board of Works to approve
this name. Augusta Theresa, born 1831, a daughter of Henry Tufnell married the Rev. Arthur Henry Anson, Rector of
Potter Hanworth, Lines.
CARLETON MANSIONS 1901, MILBRO COURT 1965, DALMENY HOUSE 1902, TUFNELL MANSIONS 1904, GORDON
MANSIONS 1962, MELYN CLOSE 1972. MERCHON HOUSE 1972.
ANTONINE STREET
The name before 1862 of Lesley Street, Roman Road for a brief period.
ARBON COURT, Linton Street (1958)
Arbon is on the shores of Lake Constance, N.E. Switzerland, Canton of Thurgau, on the site of the Roman ‘Arbor
Felix’.
ARCHERY FIELDS HOUSE, Wharton Street (1939)
ARCHIBALD ROAD
First in the 1889 directory. Named after Henry Archibald Tufnell, in the 1880’s a member of the Tufnell family.
ARCHWAY CLOSE (1967-8)
That part of Archway Road served by the Archway Development Scheme, 1967.
ARCHWAY MALL (1968)
ARCHWAY PLACE, Highgate 1845) On 1887, not the 1889 register of electors. North.
ARCHWAY ROAD
Named as such in an 1827 rate book. Built up — 1830. e.g. no.10, originally no.5 was 1830.
See also HIGHGATE HILL, MERCERS TERRACE (1845).
Nos.i-48 and 2-88′ Islington, the rest Haringey
In 1810 the Highgate Archway Company obtained a private Act of Parliament for a 211 yard long tunnel designed by
Robert Vazie, which fell in, killing some workmen.
Archway Road is named after the old Highgate Archway designed by John Nash, the celebrated architect of, among
other famous sites, Re.g.ent Street. Its foundation stone was laid by Edward Smith, one of the Archway Company’s
directors. 31st October, 1812. A toll started about 1813 and was 4d for a horse and 1d each for foot passengers. The
toll-gates were removed by Act of Parliament 1864 although the toll-house remained. The toll continued until 1876.
The original archway of brick with white stone facings was demolished 1898/9 and was superseded by a new
Archway designed by Sir Alexander Binnie and opened 28th of July 1900. One of the first to go over the new Archway
road bridge was Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyle, on her way to unveil a statue of Sir Sydney Waterlow in
Waterlow Park!
The first suicide from the parapet was in 1908. In 1969 the late Peter Sellers and his actor friend Wilfred Hyde-White
when crossing the bridge noticed a crowd. Peter spoke to a would-be suicide who was eventually pulled to safety by
ropes.
The Archway Road Widening Scheme since 1964 has resulted in several public enquiries, some of them very stormy
ones! The former Wesleyan Methodist Central Hall was originally an Iron Chapel to seat 200 opened 3rd November
1864. A new Wesleyan Chapel was opened 13 March 1873, a cruciform building of light yellow brick and terracotta
dressings (architect: J. Johnson) it was one of the largest in the environs of London. Baptisms took place from
November 1865. Eventually the building had become so crumbling and out-of-date that it closed in October 1933. It
was a well-known landmark.
On 15 November 1934 the present Archway Central Hall was opened. The Rev. Charles Hulbert who died in 1958 was
the founder of the scheme for this new hall to whose building fund Joseph Rank contributed generously. The
Archway Choral Society during the Second World War directed by Herbert C.Crellin with Harold Hall, ARCO at the
organ became well-known.
The ARCHWAY LIBRARY was opened 2 November 1946 by Cllr, G.W.Riley, JP, Mayor, in two converted provision
shops and was the first municipal Islington building to have fluorescent lighting. It served a population of about
60,000 and had over 8900 adult and children’s’ books. It has been superseded by the present ARCHWAY LIBRARY,
Hamlyn House, opened 3 December 1980, architect: Alfred E. Head, RIBA, DipTP, consultant architects: Pollard
Thomas Edwards & Associates.
On January 19th 1983 the new Archway Junior Library was opened by children’s’ writer Grace Hallworth, originally
from Trinidad and later Schools Librarian for West Hertfordshire in the presence of Cllr, Ted Doveton, Mayor, the
Chair of Recreation, Cllr, Alex Farrell and the Chief Whip, Cllr, Alan Clinton.
WHITEHALL MANSIONS (1895), re-habilitated 1981.
The WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL (Archway Wing). Opened as the ‘New Infirmary’ in connection with the Holborn Union
in July 1879 by George Sclater-Booth, MP, 1st Baron Basing (1826-94), then the President of the Local Government
Board. Its architect was Saxon Snell (Henry Saxon Snell),a hospital specialist; its iron staircases and tourelles made it
typical of the 1869-79 period of his work.
A Sculpture by Sue Green, Mother and Baby’ in stone was unveiled in June 1986.
ARDILAUN ROAD (c.1892) After 1894 KELROSS ROAD.
Believed to be named after Arthur Edward Guinness (1840-1915) and his father Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness (1798-
1868), Irish brewer and benefactor. A.E.Guinness was in 1880 created 1st Baron Ardilaun.
ARGYLE COURT, Seven Sisters Road (1929-30)
ARIEL PLACE, Strouds Vale
In 1846-8 rate books; Not on 1851 Census.
ARKANSAS HOUSE, New Orleans Walk (1974)
ARLINGTON AVENUE (1848) Nos.1-45 Islington, rest Hackney.
ARLINGTON HOUSE, Arlington Way Erected by the New River Company 1958 as 19 flats; later acquired by LBI;
ARLINGTON PLACE (1824) The name was abolished in 1866.
ARLINGTON SQUARE (1849) See also LINTON STREET.
In 1850 there were five occupied houses and 16 empty.
W.T.Catling built half of the west side of Arlington Square and John Hill most of the east side.
C.1847-52 Henry Rydon of Dells Farm, Beresford Road, took over from the Cloth- workers’ Company most of the
Church Commissioners’ Estate bounded by Linton Street, Arlington Square, the canal and the New North Road.
In 1946 the former barrage balloon site and trench shelters were complained about. The freehold of the Square was
then acquired by the Council from the London & Manchester Assurance Company. Originally it had been vested with
the Clothworkers’ Company. The Square was then laid out as an open space after 1952 with a bird bath designed by
Ross and made by the Wharf Lane Concrete Company of llminster, 1958.
For St. Philips’ Church see under LINTON STREET.
ARLINGTON STREET (1822-3)
ARLINGTON WAY, Roseberry Avenue Before 1938 Arlington Street, 1822-3.
Henry Bennet. 1st Earl of Arlington (1618-85) was a member of the Cabal ministry and Secretary of State, 1662-74.
ARLINGTON HOUSE 1958. The Shakespeare’s Head was there in 1742 with refreshments of all kinds and music,
including the harpsichord
ARLINGTON WHARF
Between 21 Arlington Square and 47 Arlington Avenue.
ARMITAGE ESTATE
Name given to buildings between Evershot Road and Tollington Park. On 1892/4 map.
ARMITAGE PLACE, St. John’s Street Road (c.1851)
By 1855 62-74 St. John’s Street Road.
ARMOUR CLOSE, Roman Way (1977)
ARMOURY HOUSE, City Road (1735) Designed by Thomas Stibbs (d.1759) to replace an earlier building. The
Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) can be traced back to companies of archers formed in Edward Ill’s reign. In
1537 it was known as the Guild of St. George and practised artillery with long bows, cross bows and hand guns. It
moved to its present HQ in 1641. Its members have included Milton, Pepys, Wren and John Wilkes and its ‘Great
Vellum Book’ is a record of signatures of members, 1611-1682.
Vincent Lunardi made the first balloon ascent in England in 1784 from the grounds. Count Francesco Zambeccari
(1756-1812) 25th November 1783, the first balloon filled with hydrogen.
ARRAN WALK (1973)
The Isle of Arran is in Buteshire, Firth of Clyde.
ARROGAN TERRACE
On 1851 and 1861 Census part of King Henry Street.
ARTHUR HENDERSON HOUSE, Hazellville Road (1939)
Part of the Hornsey Lane Estate.
Named after Arthur Henderson (18631935). Labour MP for Barnard Castle, 1903-18, Chairman of the Parliamentary
Labour Party, 1908-10,1914-17. President of the Board of Education, 1915-16 and a member of Lloyd George’s War
Cabinet 1916-1917 and Government emissary to Russia in 1917. He was Home Secretary in the Second Labour
Government of 1929-31 and presided over the Geneva Disarmament Conference of 1932 and won the Nobel Peace
Prize in 1934.
ARTHUR PASSAGE
Before 1912 Nelson’s Passage, Great Arthur Street there 1809).
ARTHUR ROAD, N7 (1864-5)

• Arthur Mews, N7 Built in 1853, by Henry Law, a contemporary of Thomas Cubitt.
• Arthur Terrace, N7 Renumbered as part of the Calendonian Road in 1878

ARTHUR TERRACE, Queens Square area (1854)
In 1854 and 1855 rate books and 1861 Census.
ARTILLERY BUILDINGS, Finsbury Street (1887)
ARTILLERY PLACE, Finsbury Square There 1793. On 1841 Census. Name abolished 1859.
Here resided Dr. Abraham Rees of Rees Cyclopaedia, tiled 9 June 1825. Buried in Bunhill Fields.
ARTILLERY WALK
See BUNHILL ROW.
ARUNDEL GROVE, N16 (1849) See also Arundel Street. LANDOR COURT 1968.
ARUNDEL LODGE, (1964) Site of 40-42 Landseer Road.
ARUNDEL PLACE (1845) Between Boleyn Place and King Henry Street, Matthias Road area. In rate books until 1855.
ARUNDEL PLACE, Barnsbury (1824) By 1882 nos. 4-14 and 13-23 Westbourne Road.
ARUNDEL SQUARE (1850) The Earls of Arundel and Arundel Castle, seat of the Duke of Norfolk, are well known in
English history.
In 1848 the site was 14acres of building ground owned by Samuel Pocock.
Nos, 1-17 only appear in rate books 1850-55, then 1855-60, nos. 18-37 also a map of 1841 shows gardens south of
Bride Street. No. 17 disappeared between 1867/9.
See WESTBOURNE ROAD for Arundel Square Chapel.
In October 1955compulsory purchase orders were made for the acquisition of the Square and in 1957 it was
announced that a public garden and children’s playground were to be erected by Frederick William Vanstone of
Vanstones of Much Hadham.
ARUNDEL STREET (1848) After 1938 part of Arundel Grove.
ARUNDEL TERRACE, Westbourne Road (1846)
In the 1861 Census under Great Bride Street. After 1863 nos.14,20,22 and 30 Ellington Street.
ARUNDEL TERRACE, Liverpool Road (1852)
By 1863 nos.17-57 & 32-58 Ellington Street.
ARUNDEL TERRACE, Barnsbury Road (1826)
After 1864/5 102-116 Barnsbury Road.
ARUNDEL TERRACE, Matthias Road area In 1855 ratebook.
ARVON ROAD (1889-90)
In August 1985 Councillor Peter Powell, with the backing of the residents of Arvon and Ronalds Road opened a herb
garden planted with English herbs and other plants, the Arvon Road Community Garden.
ASH COURT, Junction Road (1981-2)
ASHBROOK ROAD, N19 (1884) Boarded up by 1972. The whole road was rebuilt 1973-8. Ashbrook is in North Herts,
near Hitchin.
DUVAL HOUSE 1977.
ASHBURTON GROVE (1861) Ashburton is in South Devon, near Totnes.
In the early 1930s London North Eastern Railway (LNER) operated a coal depot in Ashburton Grove.
On 17th April 1937 the Rt Hon. Arthur Greenwood, PC, MP, performed the opening ceremony at the Islington
Borough Council’s reconstructed Disposal Depot & Cleansing Plant; the ceremony was presided over by the Mayor,
Cllr.G.B.Naish, JP, LCC. The plant was then regarded as one of the most advanced in the country.
Arsenal FC announced its proposals to move from its Highbury ground to a new stadium, situated at Ashburton
Grove / Drayton Park, in November 1999; the site was the (above mentioned) former rubbish processing plant and
industrial estate, owned by the Islington Council, Railtrack and Sainsburys. Planning consent was secured in May
2002 and construction work began at the site in February 2004 after funding was completed. The North and South
Bridges were in place within six months and, in October 2004, the venue was officially named Emirates Stadium. The
Topping-Out ceremony took place in August 2005 and, a year later, the stadium opened for business at a cost of
£390 million. With a capacity of over 60,000, it is the third-largest football stadium in England after Wembley and
Old Trafford, as at 2017. The club’s former stadium was redeveloped as Highbury Square for an additional £130
million. The first game at the Emirates was Arsenal player Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial on 22 July 2006. Arsenal’s
first competive match took place on 19 August 2006 against Aston Villa and resulted in a 1-1 draw. The Emirates
Stadium was officially opened by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 26 October 2006.
ASHBY COTTAGES, St. Pauls Road (1851) By 1863 no.61 St. Pauls Road.
ASHBY GROVE
Before 1938 ASHBY ROAD (1850).
ASHBY HOUSE, Essex Road
On the site of nos.257-277 Essex Road 1966.
ASHBY STREET, EC1 (1804-5) By 1816 including Upper Ashby Street. By 1920 Upper and Lower Ashby Streets.
Widened 1885.
Name Upper Ashby Street dropped 1936; after 1935 Lower Ashby Street became WYCLIF STREET.
The name is derived like Ashby Road, Grove and House from Castle Ashby House, seat of the Marquess of
Northampton, Castle Ashby, Northants. The manor house of Clerkenwell stood at the corner of the street’s site and
was the residence of the Northampton family until almost the end of the 17th century.
ASHFIELD HOUSE, Highbury New Park (1949)
A.H.Stanley, 1st Baron Ashfield.PC, TD, was in 1920 created Baron Ashfield of Southwell. From 1916-19 he was
President of the Board of Trade, Chairman and Managing Director of the Underground Group of Companies, 191933
and from 1933-47 Chairman of the LPTB. Since June 1907 he had been connected with the modernisation of electric
and tube railways in the London area.
ASHLEY HOUSE, Upper Park Street (1902) By 1935 Bewdley Street.
Last entry in the electoral registers, for no.4 only, 1978.
ASHLEY ROAD, N19 (c.1861) Before 1875/6 Ashley Villas, Shaftesbury Road. In 1866 Islington directory and on the
1861 Census.
In January 1869 the owners and occupiers of premises protested against the thoroughfare being taken over by the
Vestry on the grounds of its being private property.
On 20th June 1861 the Church of St. Mary’s, Ashley Road, Hornsey Rise was consecrated. Architect: A.D.Gough.
Builders: G.J.Carter of Hornsey Road. In 1883 the stone pillars were replaced by granite ones and in 1911 the chancel
floor was raised. On 18 May 1887, W.G.Wood, professor and ARAM organist and choirmaster of St. Mary’s and of
Highgate School gave an organ recital at a special musical service attended by the Vestry.
On 1st June 1975 the Church was visited by the Mayor, Cllr. David Davies, JP, on the occasion of a Civic Service held
there and again for the same purpose by Cllr. Jim Evans and Council. 8th June 1980.
After 1982 the Parish has been enlarged to include that o the former St. Stephen’s, Elthorne Road.
Since 1976 no.40 has been the Church of the Kingdom of God (Philanthropic Assembly).
Since 1984 the former City of London Maternity Hospital Nurses’ Home at no.43 has been Blythe Mansions Health
Clinic.
ASHMOUNT ROAD (1888) Contains Ashmount Primary School (J.M.& I.) dating from 1957.
ASHURST LODGE, Highbury Grove (1961)
ASKER HOUSE, Carleton Road (1948′ The Rev.George E.Asker, MA was from 1900 to 1921 Vicar of St. George’s
Church, Tufnell Park Road.
ASMAN HOUSE, Colebrooke Row (1963) Named after the Rev.Harry Newbitt Asman, MA, BD (1877-1950), First Form
Master at Owen’s School in 1899, for many years Curate at St. Andrew’s, Muswell Hill and until 1929 Chaplain to the
Manor House School for Girls, Brondesbury. He became Second Master in 1907 and held this post for 22 years. He
then became Headmaster from 1929-1939, a brilliant teacher, vigorous and forthright as a Churchman, an excellent
after- dinner speaker and a great personality. He died at Beenham, Berkshire, 22 October 1950.
ASPEN CLOSE, N19 (1985)
Part of Hargrave Park Development, 1981.
ASTEY’S ROW
Incorporating Canonbury Cottages, 18241860.
ASTEY’S BUILDINGS
After 1820, Astey’s Row. Built by John Astey 1761-4. Occupied in 1770.
From 1879/80 Astey’s Row incorporated Canonbury Cottages (1824). Tufnell Place (1817) and Astey’s Row and was
re-numbered throughout.
For the Thatched House’ see under ESSEX ROAD.
Edmund John Niemann (1813-76) was bom 8th February 1813,son of John Diederich. a merchant, of Astey’s Row
(who was a merchant and broker in the 1830s at 33 Great Winchester Street) and Mary Louisa Niemann. His mother
died aged 49 in 1831. E.J.Niemann was a well-known landscape artist and water-colourist who exhibited at the RA in
1844, having abandoned commerce for art in 1839.
LINCOLN HOUSE 1897, WORCESTER HOUSE 1898.
By 1956 Vanstone’s of Much Hadham, landscape gardeners, had been commissioned to lay out the ornamental
gardens at the southern end of Astey’s Row as a continuation of the New River Walk.
The Libraries possessed an oil painting by James Neal, ARCA, born in Islington in 1918, ‘The Playing Fields of Islington’
showing the Astey’s Row children’s playground, one of three paintings which he exhibited at the RA in 1951 (see also
under DUNCAN TERRACE).
ASTON BUILDINGS, Holloway Road On the 1841 Census. Pulled down, February and March 1890.
ASTON COTTAGES, Holloway Road On the 1841 Census. By 1866 62 and 64 Holloway Road.
ASTON PLACE, Holloway Road (1813-14) By 1866 nos.66-104 Holloway Road.
ATHELSTANE MEWS, Stroud Green Road On 1871 and 1881 Census. The mews were there, near cowsheds in 1887.
ATHELSTANE ROAD (c.1869-70) Not in London directories after 1979.
Named after Athelstan 895-939), English king, grandson of Alfred the Great. In 1848 the land known as the ‘Great
Field’ was owned by Sir Walter Farquhar and Samuel James How; in 1806 it was farmed by Richard Laycock.
ATHENAEUM COURT, Highbury New Park (1967)
On the site of the former Highbury Film Studios. Named after the former Highbury Athenaeum. See also under
HIGHBURY NEW PARK.
ATHOL PARK, Pentonville Road 11840) Name abolished 1857.
ATLAS MEWS (Westbourne Estate) N7 (1978)
ATTNEAVE STREET (c.18951 Formerly Guildford Street East (1820-1) Probably named after Alfred Attneave, a
Clerkenwell Vestryman 1890-5 also a tailor and hatter at 190,192 and 194 Pentonville Road and Charles Hildyard
Attneave, a tailor of Central Markets, Farringdon Road. SHERSTON COURT 1977.
AUBERT COURT, Avenell Road (1952) On the site of St. John’s College, badly bombed see AVENELL ROAD.
AUBERT PARK
From 1851-74 Highbury Park North and College Hill (c.1866) and from 1877 Aubert Park, completely re-numbered
and including Highbury Park North and College Hill (Templars Park, late College Hill).
Sir Arthur Keith, FRS, MD, FRCS, LL D, DSc (1866-1955) physiologist and anthropologist, lived at no.17 from 1908-
1933. He married in 1899 Cecilia, daughter of Tom Gray, artist, of 40 Leigh Road. A commemorative plaque to Sir
Arthur Keith can be seen at 17 Aubert Park.
HOPEDENE 1975, TAWNEY COURT 1960, WESTERDALE COURT 1977.
AUBERT ROAD
Before 1937 ANCONA ROAD (1881).
Named after Lt.Col. Alexander Aubert, FRS (1730-1805) Former Colonel- Commandant of the Loyal Islington
Volunteers. These were formed in 1792, of infantry and cavalry, against the threat of French invasion and were
finally dissolved in 1806 for lack of subscription funds. The Central Library has their original mss. Minute Book of
Meetings held at the Kings Head Tavern from 1792-98 when the Colonel was thanked for ‘his liberal, candid and
gentleman-like behaviour throughout the whole of the business of this Association’. His portrait, full-length, beside
his charger, by the distinguished American artist Mather Brown (died 1831) which used to be in the parlour of the
first floor of the ‘Angel & Crown’, 5 Sebbon’s Buildings, Upper Street is in the possession of Islington libraries.
Lt.Col. Aubert lived at the former Highbury Manor House, built 1781 by John Dawes, a wealthy stockbroker and
founder of the Dawes Estate. Near to the house, the Colonel erected a lofty and spacious three- storey observatory
with a fine, reflecting telescope by James Short known as ‘Short’s Dumpy’.
John Smeaton, FRS, helped in the design of this building visited until 1805 by some of the first astronomers in Europe
as well as statesmen like William Pitt. The rotating observatory roof was moved to South Kilworth, Leicestershire to
an observatory owned by the Rev.Dr.William Pearson, founder of the Royal Astronomical Society, built on to the
former rectory who in 1834 built a second octagonal observatory at South Kilworth south of the road to Rugby.
AUSTIN TERRACE, Cheverton Road Cheverton Road was built in 1874. By 1900 nos.43-57 Cheverton Road.
AVELING HOUSE, Poynings Road, N19 (1968)
Named after Edward Bibbins Aveling (1851-1898), scientist and social reformer. His first wife Isabel Frank lived with
her mother at 178 Highbury New Park and they married at the Union Chapel 30 July 1872.
From c.1882 until her suicide at Sydenham in 1898 Eleanor Marx Aveling (daughter of Karl Marx (181-1883)) lived
with E.B.Aveling and his wife.
E.B.Aveling edited the socialist journal ‘Progress’ and founded, with Frederick Engels, the Socialist League (1884) and
was active in the Second International. He was a freethinker and Marxist as was his wife, but also like Eleanor a
scholar and translator.
AVENELL MANSIONS, Avenell Road (1930) Re-habilitated 1981.
AVENELL ROAD (c.1877) In the 1878 Islington Directory as follows: John Moyle, ‘Avenell House’, Highbury Park
Skating Rink, nos.1 -3 Avenell Villas and 1-7 (odd) and 6-10 (even) Avenell Road.
All subsidiary names were abolished after December 1883. May be named after the Avenell family in Scott’s The
Monastery (a Waverley novel). It is derived from Avenville, dept. of Orne; variants are Avenel, Avenell, Averill etc..
HIGHBURY COLLAGE (architect: John Davies), a fine pedimented building with extensive grounds opened in
September 1826 as a Nonconformist academy.
Its Treasurer was Thomas Wilson (17641843) one of the first directors of the London Missionary Society and a
founder of London University.
A student here was George Macdonald (1824-1905), poet, novelist and children’s writer, e.g.: At the Back of the
North Wind, who was alleged to have been unhappy there and left.
In 1849 it became the Church of England Metropolitan Training Institution and in 1867 the C.of E. London College of
Divinity (St. John’s Hall) and the building was extended. They had a sports ground which in 1913 was leased to the
Woolwich Arsenal Football Club who in that year changed their name to Arsenal. In 1925 the Arsenal FC took over
the whole estate and some adjoining property (see below).
On 7 May 1946 a disastrous fire gutted the library and west wing of the former St. John’s Hall, since 1967 part of the
University of London at Bramcote, Nottingham. What College buildings remained were demolished to make way for
Aubert Court and the flats of Aubert Park.
A former Principal of the College was F.D.Coggan, DD from 1934-7 a curate at St.Mary’s Parish Church, in 1955
nominated for election as Bishop of Bradford, 1956-1961 and later to become Archbishop of Canterbury 1974-80.
C.R.AIford (1816-1898) DD was Principal in 1854 and from 1865-7 was Incumbent of Holy Trinity, Cloudesley Square,
becoming Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong in 1867.
The Rev. James Baldwin Brown (1820-84), a voluminous theological writer, studied for the ministry at the College.
Robert Slater Bayley (1796-1859), writer, was educated there.
Arsenal Football Club changed its players’ colours from red to red and white in 1933. They won the FA Cup in 1930,
1936, 1950,1971 and 1979. In the 45 seasons between 1919 and 1971 they won the League Cup eight times and the
FA Cup four times. In 1972 they received the Freedom of Islington. Three great managers were Herbert Chapman,
1925-34, George Allison 1934-47 and Tom Whittaker MBE, 1947-56. The great double-decked spectators’ stand was
erected in 1932.
Arsenal’s final game at the Highbury Stadium was their FA Premier League match on 7 May 2006 against Wigan
Athletic, the last game of the season. Arsenal won 4-2. Their new home was to be the Emirates Stadium in nearby
Ashburton Grove (see Ashburton Grove). The Highbury site was redeveloped as Higbury Square, a housing complex
(see Highbury Square).
GILLESPIE PARK. Since 1981, these five acres have been on the site of a former British Rail coal and goods yard leased
to the Council for use as a Nature Park which includes flowering meadows, a pond, woodland and hedgerows.
AUBERT COURT 1952, AVENELL MANSIONS 1930 (re-habilitated 1981), HERBERT CHAPMAN COURT 1964.
AVON HOUSE, Offord Road (1900) Re-habilitated 1979.
AVONDALE COURT, Hilldrop Crescent (1984)
Avondale is in West Lanarkshire, containing a ruined castle.
AXMINSTER ROAD
Before 1938 DEVONSHIRE ROAD 1855-9 (q.v.) re T.J.WISE.
BENNETT COURT 1950. The Devonshire Castle public house was there in 1860.
In June 1855 there was an owner of property surnamed ‘Devonshire’ listed under Harrington Grove, Tollington Park.
AYLESBURY STREET
So called because the garden wall of a house belonging to the Earl of Aylesbury skirted the south side of this
thoroughfare; this was part of the monastic buildings of the former Priory of St. John’s, Clerkenwell which in 1641 became the inheritance of the Earls of Aylesbury. The Earl in 1666 was voluntarily rated for the poor rate of Clerkenwell and could pay what he liked. The son of the 1st Earl, Thomas, married Elizabeth Seymour, sister of the 3rd Duke of Somerset.

On the site of the former ‘Bulls Head’ public house which in 1901 was at no.16 on the corner with Jerusalem Passage was the home of Thomas Britton.

BAALBEC ROAD (1887-8) Most probably named after Heliopolis (City of the Sun) a city of Coelesyria, at the foot of Mount Libanus (later Baalbek); a Roman colony at one time.
Calabria and Liberia roads commemorate the former Roman colonies from which the le.g.ionnaires may have come to garrison the Roman camp, by 19th century popular tradition alleged to have been in the Highbury Hill area. Heliopolis was also in Lower E.g.ypt.
BACK ROAD
On a map of Islington of 1735. In 1794 contained only Paradise Row, Park Place and a few houses. In 1796 its course
was changed. After c.1835 LIVERPOOL ROAD (q.v.).
BACK ROAD, Kingsland (1839) After 1877 BOLEYN ROAD.
BAGFORD STREET
Cardigan Street 1882-1938; 1939-C.1968 Bagford Street.
Named after the antiquary John Bagford (1650-1716) whose collection of books on printing now forms part of the
British Library.
BAGNIGGE HOUSE, Margery Street (1931) Although actually situated in Camden, between King’s Cross and Gray’s
Inn roads, ‘Bagnigge Wells’ was a favourite rendezvous tor Clerkenwell residents. About 1757 two mineral springs
were found in the grounds of Bagnigge House and the then owner soon capitalized on this by opening the house and
gardens to the public, adding attractions in the way of teas, concerts and dramatic shows. The house and gardens
remained open until 1840. BAGNIGGE WELLS ROAD is now King’s Cross Road. In 1863 partial re-numbering took
place.
BAIRD STREET
Re-named Baird Street 1883, probably after a Trustee of the Peabody Donation Fund.
Originally part of Coleman Street, there in 1799.
BAKER HOUSE, Melgund Road (1959) Named after Alderman Albert Baker, JP, Mayor 1951-2.
BAKER STREET&UPPER BAKER STREET (1826)
Re-named LLOYD BAKER STREET after 1937.
BAKER’S FIELD, Crayford Road (1977-8)
BAKER’S ROW, Farringdon Road There in 1690; on J.Rocque’s 1738 map. In 1811 part of the Jervoise Estate.
BALDWIN STREET, EC1 (1811-13) Before 1885 Roby Street was also part.
Built c.1811 on land which was under the ownership of the Hospital of St. Bartholomew, whose Treasurer from
1791-1812 was Richard Baldwin or Baldwyn. The street was parallel with Peerless Street but was for the most part
demolished to make way for the former printing works of the Bank of England in Old Street 1917-1964. The original
building by George Dance was opened in 1787 as the St. Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics.
BALFE STREET
Thirty houses in the street were built by George Crane. Before 1938 ALBION STREET dating from 1846. Named after
Michael William Balfe (1808-1878) popular composer best-known today for the ‘Bohemian Girl’, a ‘hit’ in 1843.
BALFOUR ROAD
On a large scale map of the 1871 period. Name approved 1873, but not in a local directory until the 1875/6 period.
Raphael Tuck (1831-1900) founder of the famous firm of art publishers and greeting card manufacturers died 16th
March 1900 at 19 Balfour Road.
BALL COURT, Great Arthur Street
After 1936 ALDERS COURT. In a rate book,
1841.
BALLS POND PLACE, formerly Speedys Lane Re-named March 1872. On an 1873 map (1/1250) Prospect Terrace.
BALLS POND ROAD
On May 5th, 1865 the Vestry decreed that the Balls Pond Road be so-called throughout, the subsidiary names of
places be abolished and the houses re-numbered, e.g. nos.22-28 were c.1853,1-4 Willow Place, 128-164 in 1844
Albert Terrace, 175-191,c.1826-65 Prospect Place.
BALL’S POND was approximately in the area of Bingham Street from the corner of Newington Green Road to St.
Paul’s Road. It took its name from one John Ball who about the middle of the 17th century kept an inn, the
Salutation House’ or ‘Boarded House’. The spot was famous for bull-baiting and other brutal sports and the pond for
duck hunting.
The Balls Pond turnpike gate at the corner of St. Paul’s and Newington Green roads had near it in the area of what is
n ow St. PauI’s Shrubberies, nurseries owned as early as 1791 by Thomas Barr, ‘Barr & Brookes’, 1819-22 and 1822-
32 Brookes & Co. After 1820 Samuel Brookes took over-until 1832 when he left Islington for Chicago. In 1848 one
John Boff owned this ground later used for building.
The foundation stone of the Metropolitan Benefit Society’s Almshouses was laid in 1836 (architect: S.H.Ridley) by
W.Taylor Copeland, Lord Mayor of London, 1835-6. They are in the Tudor Gothic style.
St. Paul’s Church was consecrated 23rd October 1828. Its architect was that of the House of Commons, Sir Charles
Barry; it was restored in 1888 and 1901. The Day Schools and Cottages were erected 1829 and 1833. New Schools
were opened 4th October 1862. The foundation stone of St. Pauls Canonbury Voluntary and Assisted School was laid
13th November 1908 by Lady Wyatt Truscott as Lady Mayoress.
Bookbinders’ Provident Asylum. Founded 1830, built 1843 at the corner between the Metropolitan Benefit Asylum
and King Henry’s Walk. A Site taken in 1964 for the Church of Our Lady & St. Joseph, Kingsland, 100 Balls Pond Road.
Seated 600 in 1982.
The Maberley Chapel, 49 Balls Pond Road. Opened 1826, closed c.1888. Balls Pond Road Mission School (St. Jude’s)
was opened 1866; in 1878 there were 61 boys and 68 girls under one mistress. Closed by 1893.
The Entertainer, 72 Balls Pond Road, originally the Greyhound, 1 Edmond Terrace, 1854, to be ‘Fergies’ 1986.
For Cutlers’ Almshouses see CUTLERS TERRACE. For Jewish Burial Ground see KINGSBURY ROAD. See also ST. PAULS
MANSIONS 194-200 Balls Pond Road.
BALMORAL GROVE N7 (c.1870) Disappeared by c.1979.
BALTIC PASSAGE. Little Baltic Street (c.1831) Before 1937
BALTIC STREET, EC1 (1808)
Refers to Baltic softwood used in the timber trade and the Baltic ports.
Part formerly Starch Alley and Thomas Place before 1911, re-numbered 1911.
HATFIELD HOUSE 1963.
BAMPTOM HOUSE, Pleasant Place (1954) Re-habilitated 1981.
BANK HOUSE, Stroud Green Road (1975)
BANNER HOUSE. Roscoe Street EC1 (1956-7)
Peabody Donation Fund.
BANNER STREET, EC1 (1799)
BANNER SQUARE (1798)
Name abolished 1895. Premises re-numbered by 1938.
BARDOLPH ROAD (1880-1) Built up by 1882.
Most probably named after an officer of Falstaff featured in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, parts 1 and 2, Henry V and the
Merry Wives of Windsor. Called by Falstaff the ‘knight of the burning lamp’ because of his red nose. A toper and
‘poor as a church mouse.”
BARDSEY WALK (1977)
BARFORD STREET (1830) Before 1938, CARDIGAN STREET.
Named after a Mr Richard Barford, a timber merchant of Islington, a member and Sunday School leader at Wesley’s
Chapel. He bought the freehold ground for the chapel and to the north of it on which he built ‘houses in a road later
called Barford Street. In this street were the offices of the Royal Agricultural Hall Company Ltd.
BARING COURT, Baring Street, N1 (1957)
BARING STREET (1885-6) Wilton Square, 1853.
A Mrs. Elizabeth Harriet Sturt (died 1867) became Mrs. Baring on marrying in 1848 Thomas George Baring, 1st Earl of
Northbrook.
BARMOUTH HOUSE, Andover Row (1934) Modernised 1975.
Named after a railway terminus, Barmouth.
BARNABAS HOUSE, King Square Estate (1963)
BARNARD PARK
See PULTENEY TERRACE.
BARNERSBURY HOUSE, Parkhurst Road (1967-8)
BARNES COURT, Lofting Road (1963) Named after Alderman John Barnes, JP, Mayor 1959-60, a member of Council
19371968 and for over 50 years a member of North Islington Labour Party.
BARNSBURY GROVE (1841) In 1846 contained nos. 1-14 and Wakeling House etc.., named after Wakeling Terrace,
Pocock’s Fields.
The name BARNSBURY derived from the family of Berners or Berneres had by the 16th century superseded the
medieval ‘Isledon Berners’ used in the Assize Rolls of 1274. The Manor of Barnsbury had an ancient manor house
which stood on the junction of what are now Holloway and Tufnell Park roads. Probably not inhabited after the 14th
century, a moated site remained until the 19th century. Ralph de Berners who died in 1297 took over the Manor
formerly held by the Bishop of London.
At 7 Barnsbury Grove was, in 1866, a Sandemanian Chapel (Pococks Fields) of which an elder was none other than
the great Michael Faraday from 1840-44 and 1860-64. The NORTH telephone exchange is on its site, in 1900
property of the National telephone Company. A commemorative plaque to Michael Faraday can be seen at North
Pole Exchange, 7 Barnsbury Grove.
BARNSBURY MEWS
Local name of Barnsbury Housing Association development, Lofting Road.
BARNSBURY PARK
See also OFFORD ROAD.
First appeared as 11 houses in the rate books for Christmas 1819.
No.14 was from 1931-4 the home of Walter Richard Sickert, RA (1860-1942) and his third wife, Therese Lessore, also
an artist.
No.9 was important in the history of the Church of England. The occupant was the Rev. Daniel Wilson, DD, Vicar of
Islington until 1832 when he was consecrated Bishop of Calcutta. In the library of this house he founded the Islington
Clerical Conference, an important annual event in the Church of England year. From 1832 until his death in 1886, his
son Prebendary Wilson used the house as St. Mary’s Vicarage.
Of late years the house has been occupied by a firm of exhibition stand contractors.
The road must have been conducive to pastoral duties for in 1829 in a house belonging to the CMS lived until 1830
Edward Bickersteth (1786-1850) a leading missionary to Africa and a prolific religious writer. Charles Chubb,(1772-
1846) died at 8 Barnsbury Park. This celebrated patent lock and key manufacturer was a staunch Methodist and
owing to his generosity the Liverpool Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was enlarged and re-opened.in September
1844.
The 1856-8 Vestry Minutes contain quaint references to the removal of pillars or columns from the entrance to
Barnsbury Park.
Barnsbury School for Girls opened 1904 as Offord Road Higher Grade re-named Barnsbury Park c.1905, Barnsbury
Central 1911 and named Barnsbury Park School for Girls c.1966.
Barnsbury Park Open Space, laid out 1967, was planned to cover 18 acres see also BARNARD PARK under PULTENEY
TERRACE.
BARNSBURY PLACE (1788)
Now 169-179 Upper Street. See UPPER STREET re C.H.Pearson.
BARNSBURY ROAD (1813,1824,1826-8, etc..)
Before 1863, originally consisted of subsidiary parts, e.g.: nos.16-36 and 40-62 dating from 1824 were named
Goulden Terrace after a James Goulden, a builder of Penton Street. Nos.2-14 were 1852-65, Queens Terrace, nos.
64-100 were from 1813-1864/5 Claremont Row, nos.106-116 (even) from 1826-1864/5 Arundel Terrace, 118-180,
partly Arundel Place Terrace (before 1835) and Coles Terrace, 1827-1864/5 named after the owner John Coles.
There was also a Brunswick Place dating from 1839.
At 14 Barnsbury Road is the White Conduit Public House (see also White Conduit) occupying part of the site and
extensive pleasure gardens of the ‘White,Conduit House’, originally a small beer house as early as 1649. The gardens
opened there as early as 1730. Oliver Goldsmith and his friends used to go there for hot rolls and butter or to drink
tea. Charles Green, the aeronaut made balloon ascents and on the ground staff in 1786 was Thomas Lord after
whom Lord’s Cricket Ground is named. Messrs, Sharpe & Warren took over the grounds in 1811. On the 25th January
1849 demolished. The grounds and house used to extend from Penton Street to Cloudesley Road.
On 25th April 1836 Thomas Wakely, MP for Finsbury presided over a public dinner with a concert in the evening to
celebrate the remission of the sentence on the Tolpuddle Martyrs (see COPENHAGEN STREET).
On 1897 no.1 Barnsbury Road, formerly Barnsbury Park Colle.g.iate School, was rented by the 1st City of London
Volunteer Engineers, founded 1861 and part of the TA in 1908. •
At no.18died in 1850 Lieutenant Waghorn, RN (1800-50), pioneer of the overland route from Cairo to Suez; this
house was in those days no.2 Goulden Terrace.
The Anna Sher Children’s’ Theatre, 30-32 Barnsbury Road be.g.an as a school drama club but since 1976 has been in
Barnsbury Road.
ST. KATHERINE’S HOUSE 1965.
BARNSBURY SQUARE
First occupied 1836-7.
A house on the corner of Barnsbury Square and Mountfort Crescent, ‘Mica House’ was called ‘Mountfort House’. This
name perpetuated what some archaeologists re.g.ard as a myth, the tradition that the Romans had a camp in
Barnsbury; the remains of a fosse or ditch was found in the garden c.1836 when this house was being built but by
1857 only a depression in the ground remained. Probably a medieval moated site. Barnsbury manor house was in
1297, not mentioned after 1388 (see under BARNSBURY GROVE re junction of Holloway and Tufnell Park Roads site).
This Mountfort House, of noble proportions was from c.1860-1874 the boyhood home of the celebrated actor Sir
Johnstone Forbes-Robertson, well-known for his Shakespearean roles and his stage successes with the fiery Mrs.
Patrick Campbell.
The Rev.J.Jackson, MA, a headmaster after 1836 of Islington Proprietary School and another master, the
Rev.H.Hamilton, lived there.
One of England’s best-known authors of a text-book on physiology, Ernest Henry Starling, CMG, (1866-1927) was
born at no.2. His father Matthew Henry Starling was a barrister and Clerk to the Crown, Bombay.
In June 1933 the gardens of the square were conveyed to the Council by deed poll.
BARNSBURY STREET
Earliest reference 1792 (see below) and 1825. Originally Batters Lane, c.1735.
Until 1791 only a narrow passage leading from Upper Street to the old parish workhouse on the corner of the Back
Road (Liverpool Road), known colloquially as ‘Cut Throat Lane’ by the inhabitants. Between here and what is now
Islington Park Street was c.1806 ‘Cooke’s Field’, on which the Loyal Islington Volunteer Infantry and Cavalry used to
perform military exercises.
Subsidiary names, including Bedford Row, were abolished October 1964 and the street re-numbered.
Upper Barnsbury Street dates from 1841. The whole street was re-numbered in 1882 and 1886. Some parts only
date from 1864-5.
In Barnsbury Street was ISLINGTON PROPRIETARY SCHOOL, founded 1830, which had in 1835 170 scholars, the
headmaster until 1836 being the Rev.John Owen Parr, MA,, of Brasenose College, Oxford; later it became known as
Islington High School. The building was occupied as a school until 1897, later by the British Syphon Manufacturing
Co. and then a firm of greeting card manufacturers. The building was demolished in 1984. On a pediment over an
entrance used to be the motto ‘Laccaseus infans’ (Good milk and young cheese), an evocation of Islington’s dairy
past.
At 2-4, at the corner of College Cross, now occupied by a firm of photographic album manufacturers, was as far back
as 1863 BARNSBURY HALL.
At the corner of Barnsbury Street and Milner Square was Milner Works used as a
factory in 1931. Here was Richford’s Iron Foundry, demolished in 1971. This building was originally Barnsbury Chapel
erected in 1835 and completed by 1841, being 100ft. long and 40ft wide with accommodation for 550, not counting
side galleries!
On 26 January 1825 died ‘at his home in Bamsbury Street’ Alexander Tilloch (17591825), a pioneer of stereotyping
and a patentee of motive power for driving machinery in 1808 and in 1825 for a steam engine. In 1797 he projected
the Philosophical Magazine for the publication of new discoveries and inventions. See also TILLOCH STREET.
At 44 is the ‘Drapers’ Arms’ public house dating from 1841 and described by Pevsner as a ‘set frontispiece’ with its
eaves, brackets and window pediments.
BARNSBURY TERRACE
Leases granted to Samuel Dallman 1824.
Dates from 1827. From the 1846-1897 period consisted of Mount Pleasant, Gibbs Terrace and Knights Villas. It
contains ‘The Courtyard’ dating from the 1974-5 period. Later nos.341-345 Liverpool Road.
BARNSTAPLE MANSIONS, 27 Rosebery Avenue (1892)
BARNSTON WALK (1973)
BARON’S CLOSE (1979/80) Before 1939, Charlotte Place, Baron Street (1820).
BARON STREET (1787-8) Part formerly Suffolk Street. Re-numbered 1908. Nos.1-33, re-building contains Barons’
Close, Baron Street.
BAROSSA PLACE (1821)
After 1863, nos.294-300 ESSEX ROAD.
No. 294 was ‘Barossa Lodge’. In the 1830 rate book is Barossa Place named after Thomas James Barossa.
BARRATT HOUSE, Sable St. (1954)
BARRON (also BARREN) STREET
See BARON STREET.
BARTHOLOMEW BUILDINGS (1885) Owned by J.E. and J. Brown. There in Seward Street until 1974.
BARTHOLOMEW COURT, Old Street (1975)
BARTHOLOMEW TERRACE (c.1821) Before 1861 part of Central Street. On 1861 Census.
BARTHOLOMEW SQUARE (1813) On 5th November 1895 the Earl of Meath opened it to the public as a recreation
ground.
Griffith Davies. FRS, 11788-1855) removed here in 1815.
BARTON HOUSE, Halton Road, Formerly Canonbury Grange (q.v.). Barton House was there in 1945.
BARWORTH COURT, Liverpool Road (1959)
BASIRE STREET
Before 1938 SOUTH STREET dating from 1848.
Named after Isaac Basire (1704-68), a map engraver whose son James born in 1730 and who died in 1802 was even
more celebrated, being engraver to the Society of Antiquaries and to the Royal Society.
Parker Court and Ferncroft date the first from 1955 and the second 1972.
BASKET ALLEY
There 1732, including White’s Yard, c.1740. After 1898 GARRETT STREET.
BASSINGBOURN HOUSE, Upper St (1970)
BASTERFIELD HOUSE, Golden Lane Estate (c.1958)
BASTERFIELD STREET, Goswell Road Before 1898 FRENCH ALLEY c.1738/40. On J. Rocque’s map. Superseded by the
1963/4 Golden Lane Estate.
BASTWICK STREET, EC1
Before 1885 NOBLE STREET (c.1828).
BATCHELOR STREET
Before 1938 Trinity Street (1845) and before then Chapman Street (on a map of 1815). The LCC street naming Order
simply says ‘named after a well-known local business man’.
On 27th May 1976 Cllr.Mrs.P.Bradbury, Mayor, unveiled a plaque to Thomas Hosmer Shepherd (1793-1864), artist
and celebrated London topographical water-colourist who lived 1820-42 at 26 Chapman Street. See also under
CLOUDESLEY STREET.
BATH COURT (c.1776) After 1936 BAYNES COURT.
BATH PLACE (1847) Re-named CARLSBAD STREET 1890-1. Since 1947 site has become part of York Way Court.
BATH ROW
In 1796 rate book after 1905 in CRAWFORD PASSAGE (q.v.).
BATH STREET, EC1 (Great Bath Street) Before 1896 James Place. Originally c.1725 Pest House Row, but extensively
re-built. The Row led to the Old Street Pest House erected c.1593 and used by the Huguenots, 1693-1718. A
commemorative plaque to the former City Pest House is located in Bath Street.
ALLEYN’S ALMSHOUSES were founded by Edward Alleyn in 1620 in Pest House Lane. Ten in number, they were twice
rebuilt, in 1707 and in 1874 from designs by T.J.Hill.
Bath Street commemorated the one time ‘Perilous Pond’ or Peerless Pool as it became named in 1743 when this
once lethal pond was cleaned and converted to an outdoor swimming pool by William Kemp. The pool, between
Baldwin Street and the City Road was actually open until 1869. The name James Place was abandoned in 1896.
Emmanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), Swedish philosopher, scientist and mystic came to live at 26 Great Bath Street
in 1771 and here finished his The True Christian Religion.
Thomas Topham (1710-1749) Islington strong man who kept a public house in Cold Bath Fields in 1741 performed a
prodigious trial of strength in Bath Street lifting three hogsheads of water weight 1,831 lb to commemorate the
taking of Porto Bello by Admiral Vernon, who turned up to see it as did thousands of spectators.
BATHURST MANSIONS, Holloway Road (1899)
BATTISHILL STREET
Before 1938 Hardinge Street dating from 1848.
Named after Jonathan Battishill (17381801), composer and organist, most of his compositions date from 1760-5.
BATTISHILL GARDENS were opened by the late Sir John Betjeman, CBE, on the 30th June 1975, ‘the first garden
square to be created in the Borough for over 100 years’. They contain a 70ft long stone frieze dating from 1842 and
originally part of the Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle Street, later to become Parrs Bank, demolished in 1922. This
frieze of about 50 pieces, weight approximately 8 tons, lay from 1922 to 1974 as a kind of unmade jigsaw puzzle in
the courtyard of University College, London. It was presented to AIfred Head, RIBA, former Borough Architect, who,
aided by Mrs.Helen Stafford, pieced it together.
BATTLEDEAN ROAD (1891) In 1893 there were only nos.1-19and 6-12; by 1894 1-39 and 2-38. On 15th of June 1985,
Tony Dubbins, Secretary to the National Graphical Association (NGA) unveiled a plaque to the Rt.Hon. Charles
William Bowerman, PC, MP (1851-1947), Labour MP for Deptford, 1906-31.
From 1894 he lived at no.4 for 56 years, an LCC Alderman 1901-7, PC 1916, Chairman of the 1901 TUC and Secretary
1911 -23. He was also a founder member of the Ruskin College Executive Committee and a one time Chairman as
well as a former President of the National Printing & Kindred Trades Employees Federation.
George Macdonald (1824-1905). author. Best known for his At the Back of the North Wind (for children). Entered
Highbury College in 1848 (see under AVENELL ROAD) and lived at no. 11 Battledean Road.
BAVARIA ROAD
Before 1938 BLENHEIM ROAD (since October 1975).
Formerly Hewett Terrace, Blenheim Terrace and Smith’s Cottages.
Blenheim Road Chapel Registered 1871. Replaced 1916 by Blenheim Congre.g.ational Mission Hall. Closed by 1954.
COTTENHAM HOUSE dates from 1956.
BAXTER HOUSE (c.1864/5) Most probably named after William Baxter, philologist and antiquary. The Dovercourt
Estate flats, e.g. Ilford House, Ongar House, etc.., date from 1966. The Baxter Arms was licensed for music and
dancing 1868-89.
Salters Hall (Baptist) 1864, since 1967 Dalston & Salters Hall Baptist Church. Closed in 1980. For many years its
former Minister the Rev.Arthur C.Davies, BD, Minister from 1937-61 was a leading protagonist of temperance, often
making Court appearances on its behalf. The building closed as a place of worship in 1980, but the congre.g.ation of
the Church meet since at St. Paul’s Vestry Hall, St. Paul’s Vestry Hall, St. Paul’s Road, N1.
BAYER HOUSE, Golden Lane Estate (1963/4)
BAYER STREET, Goswell Road Before 1898 Bell Alley (on J. Rocque map 1738). Superseded by the Golden Lane
Estate.
BAYNES COURT
Before 1936 Bath Court, c.1776.
BAYNES ROW (1737)
Joseph Grimaldi lived at no.4 in 1810.
BAYNES STREET (1737)
Named after Walter Baynes who discovered the Cold Bath spring 1697, died in 1745.
BAYON HOUSE, New Orleans Walk (1972)
BEACHCROFT WAY, Elthorne Road (1975)
BEACON HILL (1861)
Beacon Hill is a hill situated half a mile north of Hilmarton, parish and village in the former rural district of Calne &
Chippenham, North Wiltshire.
The owner of Hillmarton Road was Henry C.Bunkell of 1 Penn Villas, Holloway; it is believed that either he or an
earlier owner applied to the former Metropolitan Board of Works for this street name, like Hillmarton Road, to be
given. It was formerly a 13 acre field owned by a Thomas Poynder (hence Poynder Court).
BEACONSFIELD LODGE, Aberdeen Park (1982)
BEACONSFIELD BUILDINGS
Erected 1879, after a design by Charles Barry the Younger, as Model Dwellings by the Victoria Dwellings Association
‘providing accommodation for upwards of one thousand persons’. Acquired by the GLC 1966. Last occupied 1969.
Demolished 1971.
Bingfield Park on the site with the Adventure Playground containing ‘Crumbles Castle’ put up in 1975 by children and
architectural students.
BEARS PLACE (1852)
Later nos.192-202 New North Road. Built by
William Bear.
BEAUMONT RISE, N19
As Beaumont Road 1871, Rise since 1938, 1866-71 Victoria Road, Hornsey Rise.
BEAVER HOUSE, Highbury Park
So named from 1972, before 47-49 Highbury Park.
BECKFORD HOUSE, Boleyn Road (1967)
BECKFORDE SQUARE, 122 Old Street (c.1863/4)
There in 1938, not by 1965.
BEDFORD COURT, Green Lanes In 1939, 165 Green Lanes (flats). By 1945 named Bedford Court.
BEDFORD TERRACE (1840) Later 497-509 Holloway Road.
BEECH COURT, Red Lion Market
Before 1909 Kings Head Court. On the 1861 Census and that for 1851 as King Court, Blue Anchor Alley; on the 1841
Census as King Court.
BEECH STREET
There in 1865. Partly in the City. Called Bechestrete in the 13th century, because beech trees were there.
BEECHCROFT COURT, Leigh Road (1968)
BEECHES, The, Trinder Road (1960)
BELFONT WALK, Williamson Street Estate N7 (1972)
BELITHA TERRACE (1844) After 1865 part of Offord Road.
BELITHA VILLAS (1844-45) By early 1846,36 villas and 15 in Belitha Terrace (erected 1844) was a new road from the
Angel to Kings Cross formed under an Act of 1756 (the Pentonville Road) which ran over land belonging then to a
William Belitha.
BELL ALLEY
There 1720. On 1738 map; there 1807, after 1898 BAYER STREET.
BELL YARD
Re-named Edison Square 1937. Not there by 1965. Edison Bell (1933) Ltd were at 143-147 Rosebery Avenue and
Edison Bell International Ltd at 5 Chapel St.
BELLE ISLE
Bel isle Field in the 1804^5 rate books; Bell Field in 1806. In 1833 it had two potteries. ‘Noxious trades’ were carried
on here in the 1856-8 period. There were varnish, japan, lamp-black, horse-slaughterers, piggeries etc.. The area was
occupied later by Vale Royal, Brandon Road, Tileyard Road and ground south of it.
BELLE ISLE CEMETERY STATION, see under RUFFORD STREET.
BELMONT, Cross Street (1962) On site of nos.1 -5 Cross Street.
BELMORE HOUSE, Camden Road (1971) Sheltered housing.
BELMORE LANE
That part of Hilldrop Lane between Hilldrop Crescent and the barrier adjacent to 21 Hilldrop. Lane.
Re-described as such by an October 1982 GLC order, w.e.f. January 1983.
BELPER STREET, Lofting Road (1891) Before then Henry Street Lofting Road (1844). After Belper, Derby.
BELWARD AVENUE (1883-C.1912) Before then, 1737-1882 White Horse Court, Whitecross Street.
BEMERTON STREET (1848) Re-numbered between 1874 and 1877. Contains flats such as Caithness House, Perth
House etc.., dating from the 1961 -3 period.
Most probably named after Bemerton, a parish and village, 1 1/2 miles north west of Salisbury. See also SUTTON
GARDENS.
BENJAMIN ROAD (1860-3)
1863Clifton Road until 1875 then Shelburne Road.
BENJAMIN STREET
On J.Rocque’s map of 1738.
BENNET COURT, Axminster Road (1950) The Community Centre was opened by the then Mayor, Alderman Albert
Baker in the presence of the late Wilfred Fienburgh, MP. Named after ‘Pa Bennett’, Councillor George Bennett,
Mayor, 1944-5, a well-known member of North Islington Labour Party.
BENSON COURT, Junction Road (1968)
BENTHAM COURT, Ecclesbourne Road. Commenced in June 1946.
Completion ceremony performed by Mrs. C. R. Attlee, wife of England’s former Labour Prime M Inister, on 17
September 1949.
Named after Dr. Ethel Bentham who died in 1931. MP for East Islington from 1929-January 1931.
BENWELL ROAD, (1864-5) In 1866 only nos. 1-5; by 1870 nos. 1-31 and 48-65. May be named after a district on the
River Tyne (Newcastle-upon-Tyne cp.)
The ‘Montagu Arms’ at no. 40 was there by 1874.
The William Forster Primary opened 1889 by the School Board for London as the Forster Board School. Re-organised
1932-6. Re-named William Forster School c. 1955. Closed 1961. Building used by the Shelburne School as an annexe
to Highbury Fields School and as Shelburne Youth Centre.
BENYON HOUSE, New River Estate, Myddelton Passage, c.1963/4.
BERESFORD LODGE
Dates from 1938. Re-habilitated 1980. On the site of Dells Farm, still on the 1936/7 Register of Electors.
BERESFORD ROAD
First appears in an 1866 directory; in one for 1860 was only 1 -8 Beresford Terrace. Road completed by 1871. Dells
Farm was incorporated in no. 18. Henry W. Rydon was of Rydon Estates, Dells Farm, Beresford Road and an
important property owner and developer of Highbury New Park.
BERESFORD LODGE, 1938 (re-hab. 1980), TARLAND LODGE, 1961.
BERESFORD TERRACE.
Completed by 1859. Nos. 1-8 only in the 1860 directory.
BERKLEY STREET (orig. Bartlett St) (c. 1740).
After 1936 BRISET STREET. George Berkley, 8th Baron, died at his house in Berkley Street, 10 August 1658, facing St.
Johns Lane.
BERKELEY WALK, Andover Estate (1978)
BERNERS HOUSE, Charlotte Terrace (1937) Improved by the GLC.
Named after Bernersbury or Iseldon Berners,see BARNSBURY GROVE.
BERNERS ROAD
On the 1871 Census. In the 1884 Islington Directory by 49 Upper Street. The Agricultural Hall in 1883 contained the
St. Mary’s Hall (associated with memories of the Mohawk Minstrels), the Borners Hall and the Lower Berners Hall.
On the registers of electors until 1981.
The Halls were named after Lord Berners who laid the foundation stone of the Agricultural Hall. See under
LIVERPOOL ROAD.
BERRIMAN ROAD
Before 1938 called RUSSELL ROAD. In 1866 there were only nos. 1a, 5, 7,9,13, 17 and 2,4 and 6.
Named after a Dr. W. Berriman, a once celebrated author and divine, a Fellow of Eton College, who died 1749-50
(about). He lived in Ruffords Buildings for some years and wrote, among other works, ‘An historical account of the
Trinitarian controversy.’
BERRY LODGE, Crouch Hill (1954) On the corner of Crouch Hill and Holly Park.
BERRY PLACE, (1816) Before 1936, Mulberry Place.
BERRY STREET, Finsbury (1830) Hooper Street, after 1889, included in it.
BESANT COURT, Newington Green Road (1954)
Name given to the Mildmay Centre Housing Scheme.
BESANT WALK (1978)
BETC.HWORTH HOUSE, Hilldrop Road (1954) Named after the Betc.hworth Hills; Betc.hworth is near Reigate, Surrey,
with Betc.hworth House and Betc.hworth Old House, seats. The blocks of dwellings on the Hilldrop Estate are named
after hills in the Chilterns, North Downs and Essex.
BETHANIE CONVENT, Hornsey Lane No. 12 Hornsey Lane was a private house, then numbered no. 5 as early as 1866
and called first ‘Thornbury House’ in 1874 and then in 1919 ‘Thornbury’. From 19221961 it was a Convent of the
Augustinians of Meaux and from 1962 the Bethanie Convent Nursing Home.
BEVAN STREET
Before 1911 ANN STREET dating from 1852.
BEVERSBROOK ROAD, (1884) Named after a place in North Wiltshire, 2 miles N.E. of Calne.
BEVIN COURT, Cruikshank Street (1954) Named after the Rt. Hon. Ernest Bevin.
BEWDLEY STREET (1935)
Before then, from 1824-1934 UPPER PARK STREET.
Bewdley is in North Worcestershire. Nos. 44-46 built by Samuel Dallman.
ASHLEY HOUSE was there 1902-78. DOVEY LODGE (33-39) is a name dating from 1961.
BICKERTON ROAD
First entered in the 1866 directory. Road dates from 1866-1869, e.g. nos. 29-41 were in 1878 nos. 1-7, no. 41 was no.
1.
Probably named after a parish and village in West Cheshire containing the 695 ft. high Bickerton Hill.
Contains DARTWARD COURT 1982-3.
BIDDESTONE ROAD
On its site was Holloway Farm, a very large farm. First appears in the 1915 Register of Electors. The name was
suggested to the LCC by the owner of some property there, John Poynder Dickson Poynder, 1st Baron Islington
(created 1910) who died 6 December 1936. It is named after Biddestone, a parish and village in North Wiltshire, 4
miles west of Chippenham. Sir John was MP for Chippenham, Wilts., 1892-1910 and Hon. Colonel of the Wiltshire
Yeomanry.
BIDEFORD MANSIONS, Rosebery Avenue (1892)
BIGGERSTAFF STREET (c. 1857) Before 1938 PADDINGTON STREET.
Named after John Biggerstaff from 1767 until 1804 Vestry Clerk to the Vestry of the Parish of St. Mary Islington.
BINANI HOUSE, 36 Paul Street (1983)
BINGFIELD STREET
On the 1851 Census shown as a ‘new street in the course of building’. First in the Michaelmas 1851 rate book. Upper
Bingfield Street was merged in 1866 to become Bingfield Street and the houses were re-numbered alternately. Two
acres were cleared and 83and more buildings in 1957. Dwellings were erected 1955-7. Nos. 83-103 and 82-110 were
rebuilding, 1983/4.
For information on ‘The Independent’ Public House, see under Copenhagen Street re Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian
patriot.
ST. MICHAEL’S, Bingfield Street (1863/4)
Architect: R. L. Roumieu. Closed 1973.
Caledonian Road School, Bingfield Street (School Board for London). Opened 1872. Closed 1931.
BINGHAM STREET (1843/4) Before 1938, Compton Street. See also ST. PAUL’S SHRUBBERIES.
Named after one of the subsidiary names of the Compton family, e.g. William Bingham Compton 6th Marquess of
Northampton. William Bingham, son of William George Spencer Scott, died in 1978.
Nos. 8-13 are a short row of 3-bayed houses.
BINGLEY PLACE, Pentonville Road On 1841 Census. Name abolished, 1857.
BIRCH CLOSE, N19 (1983-4)
BIRCHMORE WALK, Highbury Quadrant (1954)
BIRDBROOK HOUSE, Popham Estate, Popham Street (1976)
BIRDS BUILDINGS (1787) By 1866 nos. 60-68. Colebrooke Row. Built by Thomas Bird.
B1RKBECK ROAD (c. 1865/6) Since 1878 ELTHORNE ROAD.
BIRKENHEAD HOUSE, Mersey Estate, Liverpool Road (1947)
BIRNAM ROAD
First in the 1896 Islington Directory. Birnam Villas, Tollington Park are earlier. Birnam is a hill about twelve miles
from Dunsinane. Birnam Wood, Perth, is referred to in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’.
BISHOP STREET
Before 1938 Dean Street, Tibberton Square, dating from 1853. There was a Bishop’s Grove, Balls Pond Road, named
in 1862, after John George Bishop of 16a Coleman Street, New North Road, a builder and contractor at 16-22
Coleman Street.
BISHOP’S COURT
Was there in 1733. Aylesbury Street, St. John’s Square. Built over c. 1909-10.
BISHOP’S PLACE
See KING HENRY’S WALK.
BISMARCK ROAD (c. 1887) After 1919 WATERLOW ROAD.
BLACK HORSE YARD
See TORRENS BUILDINGS.
BLACKMORE HOUSE, Carne.g.ie Street (1956)
BLACKSTOCK HOUSE, Blackstock Road, (1955)
BLACKSTOCK ROAD
Formerly Danebottom Lane and Highbury Vale; before 1876 Blackstock Lane. Appears in rate books as early as 1840
under ‘Seven Sisters Road’. Because the New River flowed between wooden aqueducts at this point it was also at
one time called ‘Boarded River Lane’ (see 1735 map for ‘Boarded River’).
In ancient times the name Danebottom Lane may have commemorated some local foray with Danish marauders. In
December 1876 all subsidiary names were abolished. The name ‘Blackstock’ may well have evoked the lane with
blackstock hedgerows on either side as depicted in a water-colour of 1832. Extensive re-numbering took place, e.g.
nos. 218-224 were before 1882 nos. 27-32 Highbury Vale. The name Blackstock Lane was abolished by Order of the
Vestry , 7 January 1870.
At no. 226 is the ‘Bank of Friendship’ public house so-called in 1852 and in 1860 and since 1953 again so-named.
Blackstock House dates from 1955. Ambler Primary School opened 1898 as Ambler Road Board School. Re-organised
1932-6. Nursery block added. In 1900 a centre for sixty physically and mentally handicapped children opened in the
school.
BLAIR CLOSE
Housing Development 1984 between 104 St. Paul’s Road and Harecourt Congre.g.ational Church.
BLAKE HOUSE, Brecknock Road (1939) The Brecknock Estate of 1939 consisted of 225 dwellings.
Sexton House and this name make ‘Sexton Blake’ who was the detective hero of the ‘Union Jack Library’ series of the
1920s and the 1930s!
BLENHEIM COURT, Marlborough Road (1970)
Named after the battle of Blenheim, 13 August 1704, one of the famous victories of the Duke of Marlborough.
BLENHEIM ROAD
See BAVARIA ROAD.
BLUE ANCHOR ALLEY, Pest House Row There in 1709.
BLUE STAR HOUSE, Highgate Hill (1963 period).
BLUNDELL STREET (1877) Victoria Terrace 1853-1877.
Shown on a map of 1853 as Victoria Terrace. Re-numbered after 1878.
Blundell St. Board School opened 1873. Re-named Robert Blair 1936. Re-organised 1947-51, Junior Mixed and
Infants.
BLYTHE MANSIONS, Highcroft Road Re-building 1983-4. Originally designed by E. C. P. Monson, FRIBA. Opened 30
January 1937 by Councillor G. B. Naish, JP, LCC.
Named after the late Alderman Mrs. J. L. Blythe who died in January 1960 and was Mayor in 1937. In 1953 she
became the first woman to be granted the Freedom of the Borough.
BLYTHWOOD ROAD (1879-1881 period) May well be named after Lord Blythswood who dedicated the Paget
Memorial Hall, Randells Road, to his wife Lady Violet M. Paget (1854-1908).
BOADICEA STREET
Before 1937 Buckingham Street, dating from 1845.
Named after Boadicea or Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni. According to a tradition, strongly disputed by many
archaeologists, the last and desperate stand taken in AD 61 by the Queen against the successful le.g.ions of the
Romans under Suetonius Paulinus took place on the site of King’s Cross (Battle Bridge) and the vicinity of the former
Boxworth and Sheen Groves. The ‘Agricola’ of Tacitus describes it as being held on a sandy plain.
Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School. Opened 1965-7.
BOARDED RIVER LANE
See under BLACKSTOCK ROAD.
BOLEYN ROAD
Before 1877 Back Road, Kingsland (q.v.) See also OLORON PLACE, RAILWAY PLACE.
Approximately 1874-8. Partly in Hackney. Had before the 1877 Order for it to be so named a number of subsidiary
names such as Devonshire Terrace, Railway Place, Mildmay Place, Oloron Place, etc..
Named after Anne Boleyn, the streets such as King Henry’s Walk, Queen Margaret’s Grove, etc.., near Newington
Green being associated with the former hunting-lodge alleged to have been used there by Henry the Eighth.
Boleyn Place dated from 1845. BECKFORD HOUSE 1967, CAMPION HOUSE 1949, MEREDITH HOUSE 1950,
SOUTHWELL HOUSE 1950, WEBSTER HOUSE 1949.
BOLTON WALK (1980).
BOND STREET, Cruikshank Street (1845) After 1939 CRUIKSHANK STREET.
BONHILL STREET
Before 1937 HILL STREET which was there in 1790.
BONINGTON HOUSE, Killick Street (1938) Re-habilitated in 1981.
Richard Parkes Bonington (1801-1828), landscape painter was buried in the churchyard of St. James, Pentonville, the
body being afterwards removed to Kensal Green Cemetery.
BOOTHBY ROAD
Formerly Summerfield Road and Summerfield Villas which were there in 1869 and still shown in the 1905 local
directory. By 1907 changed to Boothby Road. Named after Sir Brook Boothby (1743-1824) Baronet and poet,
classical scholar and translator of Sappho who resided in Islington according to pages 33-34 of William Fox Jr, La
Bagatella, 1801.
BOREAS WALK (1972)
In classical mythology Boreas was the personification of the north wind.
BOVAY PLACE
Earliest reference is in the 1870 local directory; not in that for 1866. Contained the London Printing & Publishing Co.
Renumbered in 1953.
BOVINGDON CLOSE (1980)
BOWATER HOUSE, Golden Lane Under construction, 1963.
BOWEN COURT, Highbury Grange (1982-3) Re-habilitated, 1981.
BOWERMAN COURT, St. Johns Way (1958) Named after the late Alderman S. C. Bowerman, Mayor 1962-3 and for 31
years a member of Islington Borough Council, who died in 1972.
For the Rt. Hon. C. W. Bowerman, MP (1851-1947) see under BATTLEDEAN ROAD.
BOWLING GREEN LANE
As early as 1675 there were two adjacent bowling greens on the north side of Bowling Green Lane. Clerkenwell, near
the east corner. The district was a favourite place of recreation for Londoners from the medieval period until the
19th century. Re-numbered 1907.
BOWMANS MEWS
In 1864 the Vestry (see Minutes 8 April 1864) referred to the ‘new street called and known as Bowman’s Place and
Mews’ being paved. However, Bowman’s Place was there as early as 1850.
Its name commemorates an archery house which in Elizabethan days stood near this spot.
Bowman’s Lodge was the birthplace on 12 May 1812 of Edward Lear and he was there until 1822. The Lear family
were there from 1806 until 1829, when they moved to Gravesend. The house during the 1850s and early 1860s was
a ladies’ school. A commemorative plaque to Edward Lear is located at Bowman’s Mews, Seven Sisters Road.
BOXWORTH GROVE (1843)
One of the sons of George Thornhill (see) was Rector of Boxworth, Cambs.
BRACEY STREET, formerly Bracy Street. In 1882 but not in 1878 or previous Islington directories. In the 1970s the
Little Brothers of Jesus opened a house at no. 27.
BRACKLEY STREET (1892/6) Replacing a poor little street built in the 17th century. The 17th century site of the
former gardens of the house of Viscount Brackley, Earl of Bridgewater, burnt down in 1687, City of London.
BRADLEY CLOSE, Nailour Street Estate (1975)
BRADLEYS BUILDINGS,
71 Chapel Street, 74-78 White Lion Street. On 1841 Census. There 1938, not by 1965.
BRAES STREET
Before 1938 Spring Street, dating from 1829.
BRAITHWAITE HOUSE, Banner Street Estate (1965) Bunhill Row.
BRAMALL COURT, Georges Road (1973) Named after Sir Ernest Ashley Bramall, Chairman of the GLC, 1982-3 and its
leader 1970-1981.
BRAMBER HOUSE, Dalmeny Avenue (1966)
Bramber is in West Sussex, near New Shoreham. Nearby are the remains of an ancient castle.
BRAMBLEDOWN, Crouch Hill (1904) Re-habilitated, 1980-1.
BRANCASTER HOUSE, Corsica Street (1972)
Brancaster is a coastguard and lifeboat station, 81/a miles west of Wells, Norfolk. Brancaster Hall is a seat.
BRAND STREET (1829-30) Since 1927 ROLLIT STREET.
In 1846 housed Holloway Ragged School, which included a penny bank and working- class lectures. School closed by
1878. In 1849 the houses in the street had to be limed and cleaned.
BRANSTON HOUSE, Hornsey Road (1927) Modernised by the GLC in 1971.
Robert Branston (1778-1827) a celebrated wood engraver, lived at Holloway.
BRATTON STREET, Georqes Road. C. 1880-1898 JOHN STREET, 1898-1929, Bratton Street. Gone by 1930.
BRAUNTON MANSIONS, Rosebery Avenue (1892)
BRAYFIELD TERRACE
Before 1938 Alma Terrace, this latter dated between 1866 and 1870.
BRAYNES ROW (1765) After Thomas Braynes, lessee of the ground. Afterwards part of Exmouth Street. Renamed
1818.
BRAYS BUILDINGS (1825) By 1866 nos. 144-162 Essex Road.
BRECKNOCK ROAD
Partly in Camden. See also ROSEBERRY VILLAS (120-170 Brecknock Road).
Talbot Road,1854, by 1870 nos. 66-118 Brecknock Road.
By Order of the Metropolitan Board of Works of 19 February, 1869 the new name Brecknock Road was given to the
line of thoroughfare known as Maiden Lane, York Road and Talbot Road respectively in St. Pancras and Islington
from the Camden Road northwards. This is the 2nd title of the Marquis Camden. Charles Pratt, the 1st Earl, 4th of
October 1749 married Elizabeth, sole daughter and heiress of Nicolas Jefferys of The Priory, Co. Brecknock.
The Brecknock Estate dating from 1939 consisted of 225 dwellings and was being re-habilitated 1983-5.
Spencer Frederick Gore (1878-1914) artist and friend of Sickert whom he met at Dieppe in 1904 had 1910-11 no. 5
Brecknock Studios at 142 Brecknock Road. He shared this with W. R. Sickert and Gore was President of the Camden
Town Group.
BREDGAR ROAD
From 1868-1937. Before then, Bredgar Terrace, Belgrave Road, 1867-8.
BRENNAND COURT, Poynings Road (1967)
BRETTON HOUSE, Fairbridge Road (1975)
BREWER STREET (1829-30) (n 1788 part of the Hermitage Estate (Brewers’ Co). Re-named Paget Street 1936.
In 1760 Charlotte Charke worked Russell’s famous puppets in the Great Room in Brewer Street. In that year she died
in ‘a wretc.hed hovel in Islington’ with only a cat, dog, magpie and monkey for company, yet the daughter of the
Poet Laureate Colley Cibber (1661-1757). After the early failure of her marriage to Richard Charke, a dissolute violinplayer,
she became the proprietress of an unsuccessful grocer’s shop, a valet and a quack doctor (her cure for an old
woman’s rheumatism was a mixture of boiled snails, brown sugar and mutton fat) and once indignantly denied a
charge of robbing her own father of £50 in Epping Forest. A real tomboy, she wrote a most feminine letter to him,
be.g.ging forgiveness of him for her wayward ways, but he never forgave her!
BREWERS BUILDINGS, Rawstorne Street (1882)
Rehabilitated 1981.
BREWER’S YARD (1845) Name of Collins Yard before 1938.
BREWERY ROAD (1867-9) In the 1870 directory. Named after A. Gordon & Co’s brewery and later, by 1931, by that
of Jas. Garish & A. H. W. Brown, vine.g.ar makers. Contained the architecturally interesting ‘Milton House’,
headquarters of Milton Proprietary Ltd., then Vick- International and by 1971 Richardson- Merrell Research
Laboratories.
In 1878 contained the Belle Isle Mission Chapel. Bombed 1941. Members returned to Camden Road Baptist Chapel.
St. William of York School. Opened 1957 in Blundell Street Upper School. At Brewery Road with effect from 1978-80.
BREWHOUSE YARD
Was there 1833.
BRICK LANE
Shown on Clerkenwell map, 1805 after 1936 CENTRAL STREET. May have been there in 1611.
BRIDE STREET
In an 1825 rate book and on a map of 1828.
Named after St. Bride’s Wharf, owned by John Thomas Pocock, coal merchant, who died in 1832. Samuel Pocock in
1806 owned land known as Pocock’s Fields, now occupied by Bride and Ellington Streets. George Pocock sunk a 172
ft. well near George Place and an Act of 1810 formed Pocock’s Holloway Water-works, but was forced out of
business by the New River Co. c. 1823.
The site of the NORTH Telephone Exchange was a Sandemanian Meeting House at which the great Michael Faraday
was an elder from 18404 and 1860-4. Lord Kelvin unveiled a plaque to him on behalf of the National Telephone
Company in 1906.
Arundel Square Congre.g.ational Chapel 1931, closed 1935, Westbourne Road, was adapted and partly rebuilt at St.
Giles Christian Mission. See also WESTBOURNE ROAD.
BRIDE TERRACE (1825)
By 1870 nos. 443-461 Liverpool Road.
BRIDGEMAN ROAD
For West Library, see under THORNHILL SQUARE. GLC Order of 26 November, 1973 to take effect from January 1st,
1974: ‘that part of Lofting Road between Hemingford and Caledonian roads.’ Formerly John Street, Thornhill
Crescent, 1819-1897.
Named after the Rev. Arthur John Bridgeman, MA, Vicar of St. Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, from 1872-1893.
BRIGHTWELL COURT, Mackenzie Road (1979)
BRISET STREET
Before 1936, Berkley Street c. 1740.
Jordan de Briset founded c. 1100 the Nunnery of St. Mary, Clerkenwell and gave the land for the building of the
Priory of St. John of Jerusalem.
BRITANNIA ROW (1781) However, site cleared, 1882.
In the 1820s had factories for cut glass and watch springs. Britannia Row Congre.g.ational Chapel, 1871-2. Bombed
1940, not rebuilt. DENHAM LODGE, six flats on the site of nos. 31-33 Britannia Row 1963.
BRITTON STREET
Before 1937, Red Lion Street, from an inn sign of the 15th century, the Red Lion Tavern, later to be the Jerusalem
Tavern.
Thomas Britton (1654-1714), the musical ‘small-coal man’ is commemorated by the post-1937 street name. He was a
Clerkenwell coal-vendor who established a musical club over his shop and lived in a house at the corner of Jerusalem
Passage and Aylesbury Street. A commemorative plaque to Thomas Britton can be seen at Jerusalem Passage ( N.E.
corner).
The antiquary John Britton (1771-1857) celebrated as a topographer and architectural writer, lived in Rosoman
Street c. 1800 and was employed 1787 at the Jerusalem Tavern, Red Lion Street and married his future wife in 1802
at St. John’s Church. With him lived his collaborator and topographer, Edward Wedlake Brayley (1773-1854). Also
living with John Britton in Clerkenwell was the famous water colour painter Samuel Prout (1783-1852).
BROAD YARD, Turnmill Street There 1777/8.
BROMFIELD STREET
Before 1937, King Edward Street, Liverpool Road 1842-3.
Alice Bromfield was the wife of Sir John Spencer (died 1609) whose daughter Elizabeth married William, the 2nd Lord
Compton in 1599.
King Edward Terrace, Liverpool Road, dating from 1849 became by 1869 nos. 48-68 Liverpool Road.
BRONTE HOUSE, Matthias Road (1953)
BROOKE LODGE, Mackenzie Road (1963)
BROOKFIELD HOUSE, Halton Road (1901) Re-habilitated 1977.
BROOKFIELD, Pooles Park (1969)
BROOKSBY STREET, Liverpool Road (1824-5)
The Rising Sun public house, 1825-7. Morgans Cottages were there in 1824. Contains a GLC development of flats,
1982.
BROUGHAM ROAD, (c. 1860)
By 1875 incorporated in Kingsdown Road.
BRUCE BUILDINGS
See Caledonian Road.
BRUCE GLASIER HOUSE, Hazellville Road (1939)
Named after Katherine Bruce Glasier (1867-1950) (nee Conway), socialist reformer and women’s’ defender and
Bruce Glasier (18591920), former Secretary of the I LP, Chairman and Labour Leader editor, a journal founded in
1893.
BRUNSWICK CLOSE ESTATE, St. John Street
14-storey blocks designed by Joseph Emberton. Opened by Dame Isobel Cripps, DBE, 12th July 1958. Another block
completed 1962.
Brunswick Close was before 1873 Brunswick Street and Place (1823), Market Street and Place and Portland Place.
Before 1815 a SKIN MARKET was there. It was there before 1760 until 1815.
BRUNSWICK COURT, St. John Street (1958)
BRUNSWICK PLACE, Balls Pond Road (1812)
BRUNSWICK PLACE, St. John Street (1823) See BRUNSWICK CLOSE.
BRUNSWICK ROAD, Upper Holloway (1851)
Since 1938 Macdonald Road. In 1975 only the Brunswick public house left.
BRUNSWICK STREET (1823) Brunswick Street 1823-33, Place 1834-73. then Close.
BRYAN STREET (1845)
BRUNSWICK STREET (1845) Bryan Terrace, Copenhagen Street 1851, Bryan Place 1851, Bryan Mews 1846.
BRYANTWOOD ROAD (1868) Messrs. Bryant & Tinneswood, builders, in 1868 applied to the former Metropolitan
Board of Works for the approved name of Hobart Street to be changed to Bryantwood. Twelve houses on the north
side were in 1868 let to a Charles Bryantwood. In 1870 only nos. 1 -22 were occupied, but by 1871, further houses
were.
BRYDONWALK (1980)
BRYETT ROAD (1866)
Named after Albert Nickles Bryett, builder of 50a Isledon Road.
The road ceased by 1969.
BUCKHURST HOUSE, Dalmeny Avenue (1948)
BUCKINGHAM STREET
See BOADICEA STREET.
BUCKINGHAM PLACE, York Way (1846)
BUCKLAND HOUSE, Offord Road (1901)
The blocks of dwellings in the LCC’s Loraine Place site are named after former Lord Chancellors. Lord Buckmaster
filled that office, 1915-16.
BULL COURT (c. 1830)
Since 1936 Memel Court, Baltic Street.
BUNHILL ROW
Runs alongside Bunhill (derived from Bonehill Fields) where in 1549 waggon loads of bones from the charnel house
at St. Paul’s were deposited.
Bunhill Fields Burial Ground
National Grid Reference: TQ 32693 82267 (London Borough of Islington)
Address: Bunhill Fields Burial Ground, 38 City Road, London, EC1Y 2BG. Entrances in City Road and Bunhill Row
Description: Bunhill Fields Burial Ground was a nonconformist place of burial and now a public open space. Bunhill
Fields Burial Ground is located in the London Borough of Islington but is owned and maintained by the City of
London Corporation. It has been managed as a public open space by the City of London since the Corporation’s
acquisition of the site in 1867
Dates: 1665/66 – 1853 (burial ground). 1869 [opening] – present (public open space)
Burials: 120-123,000 interments. The burial ground contains 2,333 monuments, mostly simple headstones (of which
there are 1,920). The oldest, surviving grave is that of Theophilus Gale (d. 1678). Notable burials include Thomas
Bayes (1761), William Blake (1827), John Bunyan (1688), Daniel Defoe (1731), George Fox (1691) and Susanna
Wesley (1742) – see below for further details
Coverage: 1.6 hectares (approx. 4 acres)
Status: Grade II listed building and Grade I listed entry on the National Register of Parks and Gardens (see below for
details of listing). It has 75 listed tombs within its boundary
Parliamentary ward: Islington South and Finsbury (MP – Emily Thornberry / 2017)
Local ward: Bunhill Ward (Councillors Troy Gallagher, Robert Khan, Claudia Webbe / 2017)
Conservation area: Bunhill Fields Burial Ground and Finsbury Square Conservation Area
Notes: There are two other Nonconformist burial grounds nearby: a Quaker burial ground on Chequer Street (now a
public garden with few historic features) and the burial ground to Wesley’s Methodist Church on the City Road,
which contains the tomb of John Wesley (d.1791).
History
Bone Hill
The name Bunhill is considered a derivation/corruption of ‘Bone Hill’. It has been recorded that, during the mid-16th century, the fields were used for depositing bones from St Paul’s Charnel House and it’s even suggested the fields were an Anglo-Saxon burial ground.
The plague, Mr Tindall and enclosure
Then covering 4 hectares (approx. 10 acres), Bunhill Fields was made a burial ground for victims of the plague in
1665 but it may not have been used for the plague victims. These probably ended up interred in the nearby Moor Fields. Instead, under a Mr Tindall, and due to the ground remaining un-consecrated, it became London’s principal
Nonconformist cemetery for religious nonconformists, intellectuals and dissenters. This area was enclosed by brick
walls in October 1665, with gates erected in 1666, as recorded in inscriptions on the burial ground’s Victorian gate
piers. Its current boundaries were established by the mid-C18. John Strype’s 1720 edition of John Stow’s A Survey of
the Cities of London and Westminster records:
‘This Churchyard was enclosed with a Brickwall, at the sole Charges of the City of London, in the Maioralty of Sir John
Laurence, Kt. Anno Dom. 1665. And afterwards the Gates thereof were built and finished in the Maioralty of Sir Tho.
Bloudworth, Knight, Anno Dom. 1666’.
The map accompanying Strype’s text shows an east-west strip labelled ‘Burying Ground’ (corresponding roughly to
the area south of the current main pathway), with the area to the north simply marked as ‘Bunhill Fields’. The burial
ground was extended in 1700 and its full extent is shown on John Roque’s map of 1746. At this time there were still
two distinct portions: that to the south is labelled ‘Tindall’s Ground’, that to the north ‘Burial Ground’. The southern
part is an expanded version of the area described by Strype; the northern takes in those parts of Bunhill Fields that
had not been lined with houses by the early-mid C18, resulting in an inverted T-shaped area. By the publication of
Richard Horwood’s map of the capital in 1799, the two sections had joined and the whole known as Bunhill Fields
Burying Ground. It remains thus to the present day.
Orthogonal plan
The burials in the cemetery were arranged to an orthogonal plan, with a main axial path running east-west along the
southern part of the ground from the main entrance fronting City Road to the cemetery wall alongside Bunhill Row
(though there was no through access at this point as there is today). A second network of paths, designed straight
and perpendicular to the main avenue, gave access to the tombs. Burial areas were numbered and iron plaques on
the south wall, these probably early Victorian replacements of the originals, provided a le.g.end for visitors which
corresponded with burial registers.
Closure
In 1852, an Act of Parliament authorised the closure of graveyards in towns and burials ceased at Bunhill Fields from
29 December 1853. By the time the ground closed for burials, there had been 120-123,000 burials at Bunhill Fields.
The oldest, surviving grave is that of Theophilus Gale (d. 1678). The burial ground now contains 2,333 monuments,
mostly simple headstones (of which there are 1,920) arranged in a grid formation. Many of the graves are packed
closely together, giving an idea of how London’s burial places looked before large cemeteries further from the centre
of London opened from the 1830s onwards.
Public open space
The Corporation of London assumed responsibility for maintaining the ground by an Act of Parliament in 1867 and it
opened as a public amenity in 1869. New walls, gate piers and gates were built and paths laid out. The irre.g.ular
paths between the graves were emphasised to create a more picturesque effect, trees were planted, tombstones
straightened, and inscriptions deciphered and re-cut.
Second World War and after
Bunhill Fields was damaged by bombing during the Second World War. Vera Brittain describes the Fields as the
location of an anti-aircraft gun in the London Blitz, which may have also caused damage to the monuments. In 1964-
5 Bunhill Fields was landscaped to designs of one of the foremost landscape architects of the period, Sir Peter
Shepheard (1913-2002). Shepheard trained as an architect, worked with Sir Patrick Abercrombie and was a
significant figure in the Festival of Britain. His 1953 book ‘Modern Gardens’ remains highly re.g.arded. He was first
engaged at Bunhill Fields in 1949, and completed his revised plans in 1963. He was President of the RIBA in 1969.
Clearing and restoration of monuments
Initial proposals at Bunhill Fields were to clear the entire area, but thanks to protestations from the Society of
Antiquaries and the Royal Fine Art Commission, gravestones were only removed from the northern part of the
ground, the most severely damaged section, which was laid out as a garden. A broadwalk, paved with salvaged York
stone and brick, was laid linking this garden with the main east-west path. It was placed to take in the Defoe and
Bunyan memorials, which were restored and made focal points, cleared of surrounding monuments. The graves of
William Blake and Joseph Swain (1761-96, a Baptist minister and hymn writer) were re-sited nearby at the same
time. The remainder of the burial ground, in an increasingly dilapidated condition, was railed off from public access
but left largely undisturbed.
The current layout of Bunhill Fields Burial Ground was developed in two main phases:
1. 1860s, when the City of London improved the site. This involved laying out paths, undertaking tree planting
and carrying out work to the tombs including re-cutting and recording inscriptions.
2. 1960s, when another layer was added to the site with a public garden designed by Bridgewater and Peter
Shepheard. The southern area remained dominated by the memorials, fenced off from public access by
metal railings.
To the north, an open lawn enclosed by shrub planting was created to complement the memorial landscape.
Notable burials
? Thomas Bayes (1702–61): A mathematician and Presbyterian minister, who is remembered for his theories
re.g.arding statistics and probability
? William Blake (1757–1827): An artist, poet and visionary. He was not widely recognised in his time, but today
he is considered a major reference point in British culture
? John Bunyan (1628–88): He was a tinker by trade but turned to religion and became a travelling preacher,
imprisoned for unlicensed preaching (1660-72) and be.g.an writing. His most famous book is the Pilgrim’s
Progress (1678)
? Daniel Defoe (1660–1731): Author of Robinson Crusoe, Moll Flanders and around 500 other books, leaflets
etc..
? George Fox (1624-91): English Dissenter and a founder of the Religious Society of Friends, generally known
as the Quakers or Friends
? Susanna Wesley: (1669–1742): Mother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism who is buried at Wesley’s
Chapel on City Road
National Register of Parks and Gardens listing
Bunhill Fields is designated at Grade I for the following principal reasons:
• outstanding historic interest as the pre-eminent graveyard for Nonconformists in England
• a rare surviving inner-city burial ground which is unsurpassed as evidence for the cramped appearance of
metropolitan burial grounds in the Georgian period
• a large number of listed tombs, notable either for the person they commemorate (for example, Blake,
Bunyan and Defoe) or their artistic quality
• distinctive aesthetic character in contrast to Victorian cemeteries, with monuments almost entirely in
Portland stone or sandstone
• an extremely well-documented place where antiquarians have recorded inscriptions from the 1720s and for
which the City Corporation holds extensive burial records
• high quality design and materials of 1964-5 phase, by the renowned landscape architect Sir Peter Shepheard
Sources
Corporation of London website: ‘Bunhill Fields Burial Ground’ www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/bunhillfields (accessed March 2017)
Historic England website: ‘Bunhill Fields Burial Ground’
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001713 (accessed March 2017)
Stype, John (ed.), ‘John Stow’s A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster’, 1720
Tames, Richard, Clerkenwell and Finsbury Past. Historical Publications, 1999
In 1718 John Price, once the ‘common hangman’ was in the Marshalsea Prison for debt. On parole, he tried to rape
an old stallholder near Bunhill Fields burial ground and she died from injuries received from him. He was convicted
and hung.
In Artillery Walk John Milton (1608-74) moved in in 1663 to a small house with a garden, later to become 125 Bunhill
Row. Here he dictated to his daughters and finished ‘Paradise Re.g.ained”, died 8 November 1674 and is buried
beside his father in St. Giles, Cripple.g.ate. His widow occupied the house for another six or seven years, not herself
dying until September 1727 at Nantwich. On the site of the house was a warehouse and in 1902 the Society of Arts
put up a commemorative plaque, now gone.
In 1818, Thomas de La Rue (1793-1866), a Chevalier Le.g.ion d’Honneur (1855) founded the firm of De La Rue. His
son was Warren de La Rue (1815-1889), inventor and President of the Royal Astronomical Society, 1864-6.
Thomas, arriving in England from Guernsey started, unsuccessfully, by making women’s bonnets out of embossed
paper. The firm was responsible for the early white enamelled surface ‘cartes de visite’ and were granted in 1832
Letters Patent to supply playing cards. Shortly after the Penny Post, the firm obtained a Government contract to
produce stamps and then produced bonds, bank notes and cheques. The ‘Star’ printing works were erected in 1874.
By the end of 1940 the firm’s seven factories in the area were all destroyed, save for two, Anchor Lane and the
building facing on to Dufferin Street.
BUNNING HOUSE, Parkhurst Road (1970) Named after James B. Bunning (1802-1863), architect of Holloway Prison
(1852) and of the Metropolitan Cattle Market (opened 1855), in his capacity of City Architect.
BURDER CLOSE, Burder Road (1975)
BURDER ROAD
Before 1938 STANLEY ROAD, erected 1854-55. Named after the Rev. George Burder, born in Islington in 1752, and
who was from 1803-1827 Secretary to the London Missionary Society; he lived at 13 Colebrooke Row and died in
1832.
BURGH STREET
Formerly Clarence Street (c. 1848-53 BURGH STREET
Formerly Clarence Street (c. 1848-53) before 1938.
Named after James Burgh (1714-1775) who conducted an academy at Newington Green (q.v.)
BURNARD PLACE, Eden Grove (1850)
BURNARD TERRACE (1830) John Piper Burnard ‘a self-styled architect’ married Marie Elizabeth Hughes at
Marylebone Parish Church in 1812.
BURES HOUSE, Offord Road (1901) Re-habilitated 1979. Named after a place in Essex.
BURNESS CLOSE, Roman Way (1976) Named after Burness in the Orkneys.
BURNHILL HOUSE, Norman Street (1974)
BURNS HOUSE, Caledonian Road (1965) Re-name of the former Burns Buildings architect: H. Riley, of the 1904-6 LCC
Caledonian Estate. Named after the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
BURTON BANK, Yeate Street (1961)
BUSACO STREET
Before 1890, Wellington Street (1815). Mount Busaco, Portugal, was 27 September 1810 the site of a battle in which
Wellington beat Napoleonic forces in the Spanish Peninsular War. The street disappeared between 1945/50.
BUSH FIELD HOUSE, Highbury New Park (1948)
‘One close of land or pasture’ was in 1559 Snorefyld otherwise Bushfylder containing 100 acres.
BUTE WALK, Marquess Estate (1974)
BUXTON HOUSES, Hermit Street (1887)
BUXTON ROAD, Hornsey Rise Estate (1979)
BUXTON STREET (1829-30) After 1937 HERMIT STREET.
Jedediah Buxton (1707-1772), calculator and mathematician visited St. John’s Gate in 1754 and resided several
weeks there.
BYWORTH WALK, Fairbridge/Elthorne Estate, N19 (1981)
C
CABLE HOUSE, Lloyd Street (1951-2)
CADD’S ROW (1817)
By 1835 St. Alban’s Place.
Contained the Duke’s Head public house. See ST. ALBAN’S PLACE re Thomas Topham, the one-time licensee. The
Islington Soup Society founded in 1799 had a shed as a soup kitchen in Cadd’s Row, but in 1805 the Society was
wound up.
CADMORE HOUSE, Upper Street (1970)
CAEDMON ROAD (1866)
Before 1938 Spencer Road, Hornsey Road.
Named after the poet who died c. 680, who one night whilst a servant at the monastery at Whitby, had a vision and
his hymn, in the Northumbrian dialect, preserved in MSS. at Cambridge, is based on this dream. See POOLE’S PARK
re Charles Williams.
CAHILL STREET (1883)
Probably named after a Trustee of the Peabody Donation Fund. However, a hero of the early 1880s was Patrick
Cahill, died 25th of March, 1881, Ensign, late Captain, who carried the Colours at the Battle of Alma, 20 September,
1854.
CAIRNS HOUSE, Loraine Estate (1937) Re-building, 1984.
Named after a former Lord Chancellor, the 1st Earl Cairns (1819-1885). See also LORAINE PLACE.
CAISTER HOUSE, Roman Way (1973)
Named after Caister, near Yarmouth, East Norfolk, which has Caister Castle.
CAITHNESS HOUSE, Bemerton Street (1960)
CALABRIA ROAD (1890)
Believed to be named, like Liberia Road, after one of the provinces of the former Roman Empire; Baalbec Road is
another example. Based on the tradition of a Roman camp having been at or near Highbury Hill.
At no. 73 from 1895-99 lived Richard Thomas Baines, who wrote a farewell address at the 1898 closing of the
Parkhurst Theatre. He was since 1894 sub-editor and dramatic critic of ‘The Era’. In 1901 he became the Secretary of
the Music Hall Sick Fund. A well-known theatre journalist and critic.
CALDY WALK, Marquess Estate (1973-7)
CALEDONIAN CRESCENT (1846)
After 1912 KEYSTONE CRESCENT.
CALEDONIAN ROAD
From 1826-1853 called the CHALK ROAD.
Named after the Royal Caledonian Asylum, which building (architect: George Tappen) was from 1823 until 1903 on
the site of the LCC’s Caledonian Estate. The building was enlarged in 1844. The children who attended the School
were of Highland or Scottish descent and wore Scottish clothing with kilt and tartan. They were often the children of
Scottish servicemen.
A large number of subsidiary names were abolished and the whole re-named CALEDONIAN ROAD after October
1861. For example: 106-146 were originally 1-20 Thornhill Place (1832), 70-104 were originally 1-18 Melville Terrace
(1846), 75-87 were originally 8-14 Lansdowne Terrace (1846-8), 192-212 were originally Walter Place (1848), 195-
235 were originally 1-18 Pembroke Terrace (1848),10-52 were originally 1-22 Sutherland Terrace (1847), 344-386
were originally Wakefield Terrace (1852), 270-342 were originally Princes Terrace (1848), 353-379 were originally
Arthur Terrace & Mews (1853), 259-349 were originally Stephenson Terrace (1848), 429-451 before 1878 were
Market Terrace (c. 18551,480-494 before 1882 were 1-8 Stock Orchard Terrace (1864-5), 406-418 were Arthur
Terrace East (c. 1855), 35-39 were 2,3 and 4 Caledonian Terrace (1845).
Between North and Market roads was up to 1939 the celebrated Metropolitan Cattle Market (Caledonian Market)
designed by James Bunning, with its 2500 pedlars’ pitches and its central clock tower, which still stands as a feature
of the Market Estate.
It was opened by Albert, the Prince Consort, 13 June 1855.
Market Road and the Market Estate, Pedlars’ Walk, etc.., keep its memory alive.
It was a well-known feature of London life up to the outbreak of World War II with its miles of stalls, racing tipsters
like Ras Prince Monolulu, bric a brac, costers, vendors of patent medicines, etc.. and its Rag Fair.
In June 1916 over 1000 stalls covering 15 acres were taken over by the Wounded Allies Relief Committee directed by
Lord Arthur Paget for a huge jumble sale. Among the stallholders helping were Arnold Bennett and another novelist,
Hall Caine.
In 1907 slaughter-houses, then a model of their kind, were erected in the market area. The iron railings with bullshead
adornment by J. Bell have gone; at each corner of the market were large hotels for the entertainment of
drovers and visitors, the Lion, The Lamb, The Bull and the Horse (later re-named the White Horse). In 1873, on the
north side of the Cattle Market was erected the Drovers Hall and Asylum designed by Lamder and Bedells. The
polygon of buildings surrounding the Clock Tower, was called Bank Buildings, with money-changers’ offices, etc.. The
160 ft high tower was one of the largest turret clocks in London with 880 square feet of glass, main wheels 3 ft.
across and a 7 cwt. winding weight. It was bombed in 1940, re-started in 1953 and again re-faced and restored later.
The abattoirs continued in use until 1953 and in December 1963 the wholesale market closed. The ‘Cally Market’ was
designed by the architect of Billingsgate and also Holloway Prison, with over three million blue Staffordshire bricks
being used in its construction, over 13,000 ft. of rail for tying up over 6000 beasts and 1800 pens to accommodate
35,000 sheep. The 2500 pedlars’ pitches ‘on the stones’ and the general atmosphere made Walter Richard Sickert
the artist declaim that the Caledonian Market was his idea of heaven! The Market Estate on the site was designed by
Farber& Bartholomew c. 1967. See also MARKET ROAD, NORTH ROAD.
PENTONVILLE PRISON, designed by Lt.-Col. J. Jebb, later Sir Joshua Jebb (17931863) was erected 1840-2. Its portcullis
styled gateway was by Charles Barry, architect of the House of Commons.
The prison was re.g.arded as a model prison, first occupied in December 1842 on the ‘separate system’ and cost
£84,168 to build. The prison graveyard housed all those executed there since 1868 including names like Crippen,
Haigh, Christie, Marwood, Bywaters, Kennedy ,Seddon, Roger Casement, William Joyce (Lord Haw-Haw) and Timothy
Evans.
ST. MATTHIAS’S CHURCH. Originally built in 1855 as a Presbyterian Church, then in 1868 as a mission chapel for St.
Luke’s, West Holloway, it was consecrated on 14 January, 1886. Architect: R. L. Roumieu. Closed in 1956 but was
opened as a youth centre in February 1970 for St. Andrew’s parish church. Demolished by 1981.
ALL SAINTS, Battle Bridge (W. Tress, architect) Consecrated 1838 to seat 1100. Services ceased c. 1969 and held in All
Saints Mission, behind 90-92 White Lion Street by 1975. The church was disused and empty and was gutted by fire in
1975 and demolished.
All Saints Hall, Caledonian Road, used as a Chapel of Ease to St. Andrew’s, c. 1981.
EBENEZER CHAPEL, 1876, closed by c. 1887.
Frederick William Lillywhite (17921854), cricketer, with his sons John and Frederick, kept a tobacconist’s and cricket
bat shop at 10 Princes Terrace, Caledonian Road, where he died of cholera, 21st of August 1854.
The LCC’s Caledonian Estate, designed by H. Riley was completed by 1906. Bruce Buildings, Wallace Buildings, etc..
The road contains several public houses, some like the Edinburgh Castle, 297 Caledonian Road, being there when it
was called Stephenson Terrace, as early as 1849. The Offord Arms was from 1854-1890 licensed for music and
dancing.
The Sutton Arms was originally 1 Edward Terrace, 1833.
The Duke of Richmond (c. 1848 at 1 Princes Terrace), now 270 Caledonian Road, since 1984 re-named The Tarmon,
after a rivulet rising in Co. Done.g.al and a favourite of the landlord.
For information on the former Caledonian Road Wesleyan Church see under HILLMARTON ROAD re 471a Caledonian
Road, called St. Mary’s Liberal Catholic Church.
Burns House, 1904-6 (Re-built 1965), Carrick House, 1906 (modernised 1964), Irvine House, formerly Knox Buildings,
1906/7, modernised 1964, Scott House, formerly Scott Buildings, 1907. modernised 1965, Wallace House, formerly
Wallace Buildings, 1908.
CALEDONIAN ROAD (Underground) Station.
Opened 15 December 1906.
Caledonian Road & Barnsbury Station. Opened June 10th, 1852. Rebuilt and named Barnsbury 21st November, 1870.
1893 renamed Caledonian Road & Barnsbury. The Caledonian Road entrance closed 1920, then the Ponder Street
entrance used.
CALEDONIAN ROAD BATHS
Opened 21st May 1892 on the site of the old Great Northern Central Hospital see HOLLOWAY ROAD, Royal Northern
Hospital. Rebuilt after the Second World War. New Fitness Gym. November 1985.
CALEDONIAN ROAD BOARD SCHOOL
Built 1879-81, closed 1931. On its site was built the former Essoldo Cinema, closed 27 June 1965, then a Bingo Club.
CALEDONIAN ROAD METHODIST CHAPEL
Opened 1870, restored 1933. Used by the LB I Social Services teams.
CALLABY TERRACE, Mitchison/Baxter Estate, N1 (1981)
CALSHOT HOUSE, Collier Street (1957) CALSHOT STREET
Before 1938 Southampton Street, c. 1828-9 and before 1889, Upper Southampton Street.
Extensively rebuilt in 1976 and 1978, flats, etc..
Calshot is 7 miles SE of Southampton. Henry Penton was MP for Winchester.
In Southampton Street lived at no. 33 (afterwards 22 Calshot Street), Joseph Grimaldi (1779-1837) one of England’s
greatest clowns. Grimaldi House (1927) is named after him.
Hales Prior, Manneby Prior and Henley Prior date from 1973.
CALTHORPE HOUSE, Phoenix Place House demolished 1960. After Sir Henry Gough Calthorpe of Calthorpe Estate,
17941899.
CALVERLEY GROVE (1864-5) The Vestry’s Annual report for 1883-4 states that the road was to incorporate Laurel
Villas, Albert Terrace, Gladstone Terrace, Pyrland Villas and Calverley Grove.
Charles Stuart Calverley (1831-1884) was a celebrated Victorian poet and parodist.
CALVERT COURT, Despard Road (1965) Sir Harry Calvert (1763-1826) served in
America, 1779-81 and was Adjutant-General of the Forces, 1799-1818.
CAMBRIDGE HOUSE, Camden Road Flats at 356 Camden Road first named as Cambridge House in 1972.
CAMBRIDGE TERRACE (Park Lane) (1847) Part of Liverpool Road Park Street.
CAMBRIDGE TERRACE, Lower Road (1825)
By 1865, 163-185 Essex Road.
CAMBRIDGE TERRACE, St. Peter’s Street (1863)
After 1909 GRANTBRIDGE STREET.
CAMDEN PASSAGE
See also MILTON PLACE, PIERREPOINT ROW and TERRACE, CUMBERLAND ROW, ROSOMAN BUILDINGS.
Dates from approximately 1776 ‘when there were sixteen messuages or tenements standing on the site’. The former
Cumberland Row dates from 1766.
In 1868 and finally by 1876 it was decided to re-name and re-number all subsidiary names and for the whole to be
called CAMDEN PASSAGE throughout.
Well-known for its antique shops and ‘London’s Village of Antiques’ and for its restaurants such as ‘Carrier’s’ and
‘Frederick’s’ (see also PIERREPOINT ROW).
The late Sir John Betjemann, CBE, in November 1962 unveiled a memorial plaque sponsored by the Camden Passage
Traders’ Association to Alexander Cruden (16991770), perhaps best-known for his Concordance to the Holy
Scriptures. He was found dead by his landlady in an attitude of prayer in rooms that he occupied. He was also a
believer in prison reform and also used to go around the streets of Islington armed with a sponge to remove from
the walls any offensive graffiti.
John Nelson, whose definitive history of Islington first appeared in 1811, then in 1823 and 1829 editions as well as an
edition edited by Julia Melvin in 1980, occupied rooms kept by a Miss Janet Welchern, entered in the rate books
under Camden Street. I n the 1827 rate book the house was at the corner of Camden Street and Cumberland Row.
He is by tradition alleged to have died there aged 52 on the 20th of April, 1828.
A commemorative plaque to Alexender Cruden (1699-1770), Scottish author and proof reader, is located at 45
Camden Passage, his former home.
CAMDEN ROAD
First formed in 1826.
Named after Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden (1714-1794), Lord Chancellor, who by his marriage with Elizabeth
Jeffereys, 5 October 1749, acquired a lot of property in this area. Since July 1864 named CAMDEN ROAD throughout.
At the junction of Camden and Parkhurst roads was the Athenaeum Literary and Scientific Institution, designed by F.
R. Meeson. As it had a hall for music and drama to seat 600 it was used by Sir Donald Wolfit (Donald Wolfit Advance
Players’ Association) at one period for the rehearsals of plays and later on for the storage of theatrical scenery.
When the building was demolished in 1956 a contemporary newspaper of 1872 and other documents were found
under its foundation stone, which, with the documents, is in the possession of Islington Libraries. So the building
lasted from 1872 until pulled down to make way for a petrol filling station.
Camden Road Baptist Church dated from 1854. Architect: C. G. Searle. In 1859 galleries, a hall, vestries and a
classroom were added. Seated 1050 in 1928.
Belmore House, Cambridge House, etc.. date from 1971 -2, Fairdene Court, 1962, Poynder Court, 1973 and
Saxonbury Court 1960.
Before 1864 the road had other subsidiary names, e.g. 392-418 were 1 -13 Hillmarton Villas West, 420-460 were 1-
20 Hillmarton Villas, 275-277 were nos. 1 and 2 Horton Villas, 229-251 were from 1854-64 nos. 1-12 Linden Villas,
376-386 were from 1855-60 nos. 13-19 Upper Hillmarton Villas.
For Samuel Phelps residence see under CANONBURY SQUARE. For Sir H. J. Williams, 263 Camden Road, see MANOR
GARDENS.
John Barnes Library, 275 Camden Road, named after Alderman John Barnes (see BARNES COURT) opened in 1974 by
him and named after him on December 14th, 1974.
CAMDEN WALK
Before 1938 CAMDEN STREET. Built in 1760.
‘Colinsdale’ dates from 1969. The Camden Head Public House was there as early as 1806, the licensee being then and
right up to 1843 one Samuel Grammar. When Grammar was licensee it was no. 2 Camden Street.
CAMPBELL ROAD (1864-5) Since 1938 WHADCOAT STREET.
Because of its poor housing and notoriety known colloquially as the ‘Campbell Bunk’.
CAMPBELL WALK, Delhi/Outram Estate (1980)
CAMPDALE ROAD
First so named in the 1888 Directory. Campdale Terrace, 1886-7.
The Tufnell Park Hotel was in 1888 on the corner of Campdale Road, in 1871 the Tufnell Park Arms, whose licensee,
W. J. Page, was also a cricket bat and ball maker. The hotel was bombed 29 October 1940 and rebuilt as the Tufnell
Park Tavern.
CAMPION HOUSE. Boleyn Road (1949)
Named after Edmund Campion (1540-1581), English Jesuit, martyred at Tyburn, one of the Forty Martyrs canonised
in 1970.
CANAL TERRACE (1847)
After c. 1870, 79-101 St. Peter’s Street.
CANNING ROAD (1877)
A Canning House appears so named in registers of electors as early as 1893. Named after Charles John Canning, Earl
Canning (1812-1862), British statesman, Under Secretary of State and Postmaster-General, 1853-55, First Viceroy of
India in 1858 and its Governor-General in 1856.
CANON STREET, Prebend Street (1852)
CANONBURY
Under a grant of land dated 1253 Ralph de Berners made over the manor of Canonbury to the Canons of the Priory
of St. Bartholomew whose last Prior William Bolton died in 1532.
CANONBURY AVENUE, Canonbury Road (1892)
CANONBURY COTTAGES
From 1824-1870. After then incorporated in Astey’s Row 1879/80 and re-numbered throughout.
CANONBURY COURT, Sebbon Street (1948)
Architect: H. C. H. Monson, MBE, FRIBA. Opened 4 September 1948 by Alderman A. E. Smith, J. P. Mayor.
CANONBURY GRANGE, Canonbury Square (1844)
On 1896 map, south of Sable Street, since 1945 Barton House, Halton Road.
CANONBURY GROVE (1823)
From 1830-6 Willow Grove. Yet by 1825 Willow Terrace and later Willow Cottages and Willow Terrace. By 1837
Canonbury Grove and again so called in 1863, but in 1878 Canonbury Grove, Willow Terrace and re-named and renumbered.
See also WILLOW TERRACE.
Harry Randall (1860-1932), comedian and pantomime dame lived from 1887-95 at a house he called ‘Boffin’s Bower’,
no. 4 Canonbury Grove. When about seventeen he started his career at a Teetotal Hall in Corporation Row and when
only 20 was at Deacon’s Music Hall.
CANONBURY LANE (1770)
Houses re-numbered alternately in 1865.
No. 3 was in 1818 the scene of an abduction to the Continent of a 3 1/2 years old boy, the son of Joseph Horsley, a
wealthy merchant and shipbroker by the villainous Charles Rennett. This case then caused a national sensation.
Abraham Ricardo, a Jew born in Holland, was from 1807-12a resident of Canonbury Lane. He had settled in London c.
1760 and became active on the Stock Exchange within the next few years. His third child was DAVID RICARDO, born
in 1772, the celebrated political economist who died in 1823. He was also one of the promoters of the Geological
Society of London. He is still remembered for his theory of Rent and was MP for Portarlington, 1819-23.
In 1960 the occupants of no. 1 Canonbury Lane discovered a well in the cellar. The ‘Four Sisters’ Public House at no.
25 was only a public house since 1953, but a beer retailers in the 1930s. It is named after four Miss Vincents who
kept a coffee and confectioner’s shop as early as 1905.
The Middle House and Senate House at 13 Canonbury Lane, only so called from c. 1983-4. The Senate House is
named after the Senate Club opened in 1959 as the Strava Ballroom Club. Before then in 1945 it was the Highbury
Palais and in 1931 for some years the Mornington Hall. Before 1905, this house, dating from at least 1796, was a
private house. It was occupied in the 1880s by A. George Bateman, FRCS and in the 1860s by John Jeaffreson, a
surgeon. It was formerly no. 7.
CANONBURY MANSIONS, Canonbury Place
In the 1919 register of electors.
CANONBURY PARK (1841-3)
CANONBURY PARK NORTH
In 1865 previous names were abolished, e.g. 34-58 (even) were Park Lodge, Dartmouth Villa, Prestbury Villas,
Cambrian Villas and Park Cottages.
31-59 were in 1863 nos. 1,2,16-20, 8,9, and 11-16 Braganza Villas, dating from 1843-52. Nos. 6-20 were before 1866
Raleigh Villas (1848).
Mrs. Mary Vivian Hughes (1867-1956) authoress of ‘A London Family, 18701900’ (a trilogy) and ‘Vivians’ lived at no. 1
Canonbury Park North. The house was there until 1937.
William Lodge, Grange Grove, has since 1954 been on its site.
CANONBURY PARK SOUTH (1850-2) Known as Crescent Road.
In the 1852 Directory were shown as part of Canonbury Park South nos. 1-24 (also known as Crescent Road), Priory
Villas (8 houses), Hope Villas (7 houses), Alwyne Cottages (4 houses) and Chester Villas (3 houses).
The same houses appear in 1849 under Canonbury Park, which latter dates from 1841-3. Extensive re-numbering
took place by 1866, e.g. nos. 50-64 were nos. 1-8 Priory Villas dating from 1843-5.
James Duff Brown (1862-1914), Islington’s first Chief Librarian lived from 1907-14 at no. 15. He was also a pioneer of
‘open access’ at Finsbury in 1894, the deviser of a classification scheme for books and also a bibliographer and
musicologist.
IVER COURT 1953, STAN LEY LODGE 1954.
CANONBURY PARK SQUARE
After 1882 Alwyne Square. In directories 1863-1878.
Built by Charles Havor Hill. Name abolished by 1879 to Alwyne Square (by Order of 19 December 1879).
CANONBURY PARK WEST (1851-1867) See also Spencer Villas.
Canonbury Park West, 1851-67, then 1867-1938 GRANGE ROAD. Since 1938, GRANGE GROVE, Canonbury.
Canonbury Park North and South contain LILIAN BAYLIS HOUSE (1953), MARIE CURIE HOUSE (1954), OLIVE HOUSE
(1954), IVER COURT (1953) and STANLEY LODGE (1954) named after the architect of the police flatlets, William
Stanley Grice who died in 1953. GRICE COURT, Alwyne Square, is named after him.
CANONBURY PLACE
1776-1780 on building leases to John Dawes, Esq., the wealthy stockbroker of Highbury, who pulled down part of the
brick wall surrounding Canonbury House and Tower.
Nos. 18-20 from 1878-1900 were ‘Gothic House’ and nos. 1-2, Gothic Villas, Grange Road, dating from c. 1854.
Weedon Grossmith, illustrator of The Diary of a Nobody lived at no. 5 (‘The Old House’), from 1891-99. The same
house was in 1939 occupied by Ronald Lewis Carton (1888-1960), then compiler of the Times crossword puzzles. This
house was re-numbered no. 2.
Raymond Mortimer, CBE, writer and critic and a former Chairman of the Contemporary Art Society died at this house
aged 84 in January 1980.
Professor Sir Basil Spence, OBE, FRIBA (1907-1976) lived at no. 1 from 1956. He was the architect of Coventry
Cathedral, the Household Cavalry Barracks at Knightsbridge and numerous architectural works of international
significance.
South of Canonbury Place, near the New River Walk, is a former late 17th century Watch House with a pyramidal
shaped tiled roof, once used by watchmen to prevent ille.g.al bathing or fishing in the New River.
Canonbury Place contains CANONBURY TOWER, dating from c. 1562, on the site of the Priory of St. Bartholomew’s
prior’s Canonbury House (erected 1509-32). Elizabeth Spencer, daughter of Sir John Spencer, married in 1594
William, Lord Compton, 1st Earl of Northampton (Marquess of Northampton). The Northampton estates sold out by
1954.
In the garden of the Tower is an ancient mulberry tree alleged to have been planted during the lesseeship of the
property by Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, at some time between 1616 and 1625. The Francis Bacon Society
Incorporated had offices in the Tower.
Famous lodgers in the rooms let out in the Tower have included Oliver Goldsmith, John Newbery and Washington
Irving. The Tower was restored 1907-8 and the King Edward Hall built. Another tenant was H. Sampson WoodfalI,
printer of the Letters of Junius.
The romantic le.g.end associated with the Tower is that the young, headstrong Elizabeth fell in love with William,
Lord Compton and her father ‘Rich Spencer’ of Crosby House, Bishopsgate and also at one time in 1594 Lord Mayor
of London, was not altogether in favour of their courtship. So, disguised as a page, she was let down in a basket from
one of the upper windows of the tower and they decided to elope and got married in 1594. They approached Queen
Elizabeth who asked Sir John if he would stand godfather to the child born of the young couple and reconciliation
ensued.
The rooms such as the Compton Room, Spencer Room, Oak Room, contain magnificent carving and oak panelling,
removed to Castle Ashby, seat of the Marquess during World War II, to avoid damage and now all restored. Since
1952 the Canonbury House and Tower has been the TOWER THEATRE, headquarters of the Tavistock Repertory Co.,
who moved there then from the Re.g.ent’s Park district. The former King Edward’s Hall was adaptable to theatre
requirements.
No. 6 Canonbury Place had been a ladies’ school as early as 1838 and was c. 1855 called ‘Northampton House’, kept
by a Miss Caroline Bifield. From 1878-1911 it was Highbury and Islington High School for Girls (it closed in 1911).
From 1930-1965 the headquarters of the North London (Islington) District Nursing Association. It then became
Harcourt House, (Medical Missionary Association).
Canonbury House, Canonbury Place, not to be confused with Canonbury House & Tower (now the Tower Theatre)
dates from 1780.
From 1888-1892 it was the residence of the Rev. W. Hagger Barlow, Vicar of Islington from 1886 until 1902, when he
became Dean of Peterborough. From 18931946 it was the Vicarage of the church of St. Stephen’s, Canonbury Road.
Nos. 8-9 are a Day Nursery.
Canonbury Tavern was originally a small ale house which was there in 1735 and c. 1785 was kept by a Robert Sutton,
whose widow later laid out a bowling green and tea gardens. The house then became the chosen resort for meetings
of corporate and parochial bodies and dinner parties. In 1808 a Mr. Baxter took over and there was a shrubbery,
bowling-green, Dutch-pin and trap ball grounds and a butt used for firing practice by the Volunteers and others. It
was demolished in 1846 but rebuilt.
CANONBURY ROAD
From ‘Lower Road to Highbury’ was by Order of 20th Feb 1863 to be called Canonbury Road. In 1880-1 it
incorporated Highbury Cottages, Compton Place, Compton Cottages, York Terrace and Canonbury Road.
E.g. 31-57 Canonbury Road was in 1863 Northampton Place, 124 Canonbury Road was in 1866 ‘Compton Cottage’,
so-called in directories up to 1878 and until 1896 occupied by John Dennison, cowkeeper. 54-94 was Albion Terrace
(1825).
The original St. Stephen’s Church, Canonbury Road to seat 1100 was designed by Messrs. W.& H.W.Inwood and
E.N.Clifton, architects, 1839. On the night of October 1940, the church was almost completely destroyed by
incendiary bombs.
The foundation stone of the re-constructed church was laid by Lord Ebbisham in June 1957. Architects: A.LlewellynSmith
and A.B. Waters, FRIBA. The Reredos is a 24ft. high mural by Brian Thomas, who also designed the ‘Eight
Attributes of Christ’ in St. Mary’s Church, Upper Street. In 1985 the Rev. Yemi Ladipo from Nigeria was inducted as
the Vicar.
The original Belinda Castle Public House dated from c.1900 and a later one 1939.
The Myddelton Arms was at 52 Canonbury Road as early as 1866.
CANONBURY SCHOOL, Canonbury Road. Originated as Union Chapel British School for fifty girls opened 1807 and for
fifty boys, 1814. A new school-room was in Compton Mews, 1836. A room was used under the Vestry behind the
Chapel from 1868. The school and building in Compton Mews was in 1873 transferred to the School Board for
London. Opened in 1877 at Canonbury Road for Boys, Girls and Infants. Additions were made to the buildings in
1893, 1910 and 1972. Re-organised 1932-6. Senior Boys left 1947-51, then re-organised for Junior Mixed and Infants.
SPRIGGS HOUSE 1954, HASLAM HOUSE 1957, DIXON CLARKE COURT (q.v.) 1966.
CANONBURY SQUARE
First occupied in 1826. Designed by Henry Leroux, the architect of Compton Terrace (1806); opened to the public,
conveyed by the Marquess of Northampton, 1888. The statue, a centrepiece of the gardens of the square, however,
came from Italy and was presented by a well-wisher, c.1960.
A plaque records the residence from 18441866 of Samuel Phelps, actor, actor-manager, reformer of the English
stage and in 1844 becoming the patentee of Sadler’s Wells Theatre. From 1867 until his death in 1878 he lived at
no.420 Camden Road.
George Daniel, bibliophile and book collector, first came to live at no.18 in 1837; he died in 1864.
The Rev. Arthur Johnson kept a school at no.36 of which one of the pupils was the young Joseph Chamberlain.
A plaque records the residence at no.27b of George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair) who died in January, 1950.
Evelyn Waugh, when he was first married lived at no.17a from 1928-1930.
Duncan Grant (1885-1978), painter, designer and critic and Vanessa Bell (18791961) painter and designer and sister
of Virginia Woolf were attracted to the square and lived at no.26a for a brief time.
Prof. Sir A.Richardson once described the Square as when the chestnut trees were out in blossom, London’s most
beautiful square;
At Northampton Lodge from 1840-1852 lived Major Robert Holborn, benefactor. See under SKINNER STREET.
CANONBURY STATION
Newington & Balls Pond, (1858-1870), replaced 1st December 1870 by CANONBURY.
CANONBURY STREET
First entered in the rate books (only 4 houses) as early as 1824. The MARQUESS TAVERN First appeared in an 1854
directory.
CANONBURY TERRACE (1826-1853)
Renamed Alwyne Villas and the houses re-numbered 1890-1 Alwyne Villas are in an 1854 directory;
CANONBURY TOWER
See under CANONBURY PLACE.
CANONBURY TOWERS
First appears as such in a 1955 Register of Electors.
CANONBURY VILLAS, Lower Road (1840)
Halton Mansions on the site 1922.
Bombed in World War II, but rebuilt.
CANTERBURY ROAD, Balls Pond (1854)
CANTERBURY TERRACE, Balls Pond (1855)
Both after 1938 WRIGHT R OAD.
CARDIGAN STREET (1882)
After 1939 BAGFORD STREET (q.v.).
CARDIGAN WALK, Marquess Estate (1977)
Named after James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan (1797-1868) who in 1854 led the famous charge of the
Light at Balaclava.
CARDINAL’S WAY, Hillside Estate (1975-6)
CARDOZO ROAD, as CARODZA ROAD On an 1870 large scale map as Cardoza Road but not in Islington local
directories until 1884. The Vestry Minutes 7th March 1879 state ‘to incorporate Cardozo Road with Free.g.rove Road
re-naming Stefano Road Cardozo Road’.
Stefano Cardoza lived at 13 Colebrook Row in 1855 and 1860 and a Mrs. Cardoza kept a preparatory school at 25
Tollington Road in 1866.
In 1878 at 1 Stock Orchard Crescent was H.E.Cardozo, a confectioner.
CARDWELL ROAD
On an 1871 large scale O.S. map. Not in Islington directories for 1874-8 but in the one for 1882.
CARDWELL TERRACE
A Cardwell Terrace, Tabley Road, appears in the 1889 Register of Electors.
CAREW CLOSE GLC Andover Estate, Alsen site (1976)
CARFREE CLOSE, Bewdley Street (1981)
CARLETON HOUSE, Carleton Road (1978)
CARLETON HOUSE. Cross Street (1893)
CARLETON MANSIONS, Anson Road (1901)
CARLETON ROAD
Built up at various times, 1860-1878.
Present numbering dates from 1874. Previous to this various parts, e.g. 46-76 (even) Cornwall Villas (1870-3), 1-105
Bloomfield Villas (c.1860).
Named after Edward Carleton Tufnell (1806-1886) from whose ancestor William Tufnell Joliffe and the family of
Tufnell is where TUFNELL PARK gets its name. See under Tufnell Park Road for Tufnell Park Primary School.
In 1926 Arthur J. West opened at 47 Carleton Road a house for young employees of limited means which continued
as the HYELM MOVEMENT until 1952 and in February 1946 was visited by the late Queen Mary, consort of George V.
It later became a hostel. Edward Clodd (1840-1930), writer, lived at ‘Rosemont’, 19 Carleton Road, from 1876 to
1904.
CARLETON HOUSE 1978, DAREN COURT 1973, DOLPHIN COURT 1963, SOUTH SIDE 1963, ETON LODGE 1972.
CARLETON TERRACE
A description given to 42-50 Halton Road, which subsidiary name was abolished in 1950.
CARLISLE HOUSE, Dartmouth Park Hill (1899)
CARLSBAD STREET
Originally Bath Place (1847).
Re-named Carlsbad Street 1890-1. Site is now part of York Way Court since 1947.
CARLTON MANSIONS, Anson Road
London County Leasehold & Freehold Properties. First appears in a 1901 directory.
CARMATHEN STREET, Shepperton Road (1877-8)
Last in the 1864 Register of Electors. Now obsolete; in 1882 directory but not the one for 1878.
CARNE.G.IE STREET (c.1824) Before 1938 CHARLOTTE STREET.
Andrew Carne.g.ie (1835-1918), US industrialist and philanthropist; was a great benefactor, particularly to public
libraries.
Charlotte Sophia (1744-1818) was Queen and wife of George III; the Princess Charlotte Augusta (1796-1817) was the
only child of George, Prince of Wales (afterwards George IV) and Caroline of Brunswick.
ADRIAN, ALDRICK and AMORY HOUSES 1952, BLACKMORE HOUSE 1956, CRISPE HOUSE 1952, EWEN HOUSE 1956,
JOCELIN HOUSE 1953, MAVOR HOUSE 1953, RITSON HOUSE 1954, THURSTON HOUSE 1952.
CARNOUSTIE DRIVE (1973) Coatbridge House (1974), commemorating a Tayside coastal town in Angus,6 1/4 miles
south west of Arbroath and Coatbridge.
CAROLINE HOUSE, Alwyne Road (1967)
CAROLINE MARTYN HOUSE, Hazellville Road, Hornsey Lane Estate (1939)
CAROLINE PLACE
On 1841 Census. After 1936 SALLY PLACE.
CAROLINE PLACE (1845)
By 1848 Lower Copenhagen Street.
CAROLINE PLACE, Holloway 1845 Holloway Road.
In rate books, but not directories. On the 1861 Census.
CARPENTER HOUSE. Brecknock Road Estate (1939)
CARRICK HOUSE, Caledonian Road (1906) Modernised by GLC 1964.
Carrick was one of the three ancient divisions of Ayrshire and a place in Argyllshire.
CARTHUSIAN STREET
On 1841 Census. Earlier, the Carthusian Order of Friars founded the nearby Charterhouse as a monastery in 1371.
CARVILLE STREET (1905-1968)
From c.1869-1904 MARYLEBONE STREET.
CASLON STREET
Before 1936 NEW STREET c.1740. For William Caslon the Elder (1692-1766) see HELMET ROW.
Caslon St. was renumbered in 1897 and was there in 1965.
CASTLE PLACE
Renamed Epworth Place 1939.
CASTLE STREET
Built by William Rolfe, 1796-99. Renumbered 1896. After 1937 EPWORTH STREET.
William Aldrich, painter, lived at no.21 in 1838.
CASTLE VIEW HOUSE, Camden Road (1975) Holloway Prison was modelled on Warwick Castle.
CATHCART HILL (1861-2) See also PICTON VILLAS.
Cathcart is a parliamentary division of Glasgow. Durham House listed under Dartmouth Park Hill as early as 1899.
CATHERALL ROAD
A new road in the LCC’s Highbury Quadrant Housing Scheme, 1956; the LCC approved the name in 1953.
Named after a Robert Catherall who died 7 June 1758 or 1759 aged 67 and was a Trustee of the Poor 1737 and 1738
and a Churchwarden.
CATHERINE STREET (1844-5) In 1876 Rodney Street North and Catherine Street incorporated to become MURIEL
STREET.
CATTON HOUSE, Pleasant Place, Essex Road (1902)
CAVE STREET
From 1839-1938 Payne Street. Disappeared by 1949.
Edward Cave (1691-1754) founder of the Gentleman’s Magazine and printer. The magazine had on its title page and
outer cover a woodcut of St. John’s Gate as it was issued from there and there he had his printing office.
CAVENDISH BUILDINGS, Dallington Street, (1870)
(St. Pauls Buildings.) Gone by 1958/63.
CAYTON STREET, City Road
Before 1895 New Street (c.1740) and Upper
Fountain Place.
CEDAR COURT, Essex Road (1968)
CELIA ROAD (1884)
CENTRAL PLACE. Central Street. Before 1936 CENTRAL STREET.
York Place (1809), Brick Lane (on 1805 map), may well have been there as early as 1611, Bartholomew Terrace
(c.1821) and Northgate Terrace (before 1861). The Rt. Hon. George Alfred Isaacs, MP, was born 1883, Central Street.
AMIAS HOUSE 1937.
CENTURION CLOSE, Wheelwright Street (1975,1976 and 1979)
CHADSTON HOUSE, Richmond Grove (1937)
CHADWELL STREET
Lower Chadwell and Upper Chadwell Streets were described as unfinished in 1828. In 1613 the New River was finally
brought from Amwell and Ware in Herts, At Chadwell was a spring forming part of it.
Angel Baptist Church (former Mount Zion Chapel) opened in 1851.
The Providence Chapel (1823/4) became by 1827 a Scotch Church, then it was taken over by the Baptists, then the
Northampton Tabernacle. See ROSOMAN STREET.
CHADWORTH HOUSE, Lever Street (1906) Rehabilitated in 1971 former Chadworth Buildings.
CHALBURY WALK, Wynford Estate (1973) CHALFONT ROAD
Before 1867 Upper Victoria Road (1850); name last used in 1973.
CHAMBERS ROAD (1875-6) Before 1938 St. Peter’s Road.
Ephraim Chambers (d.1740), author of Cyclopaedia … or Dictionary of the Arts & Sciences (2 vols, folio, 1728) resided
in rooms at Canonbury Tower.
CHANTRY STREET (1851-2) Before 1938 St. James’s Street.
CHAPEL MARKET
This name was not used before 1936. It was before then Chapel Street Market. It was officially recognised as a
street market on 14th January 1879, but there were butchers’ stalls there as early as 1868.
CHAPEL PLACE, Highbury See CONEWOOD PLACE.
CHAPEL STREET
Chapel Street is probably so called because St. James’s Church, Pentonville was originally built in 1787 as a
Nonconformist Chapel, its architect being Aaron Hurst.
Richard Parkes Bonington (1801-1828), landscape painter, was buried here in St. James churchyard, but his body was
afterwards transferred to Kensal Green Cemetery. Here lie buried ‘Joey’ Grimaldi (1779-1837), perhaps England’s
most famous clown, Charles Dibdin the Younger (1768-1833), proprietor and acting manager of Sadler’s Wells
Theatre for which he wrote songs and stage spectacles.
Charles Lamb lived at 45 Chapel Street with his sister Mary from 1796-1799 and Henry Sargent Storer (1795-1837)
draughtsman and engraver worked for the firm of J.& H.S.Storer from this street. See also KING EDWARDSTREET.
John James Sainsbury opened in 1882 at 48 Chapel Street a shop selling dairy produce. A second branch opened at
the corner of Baron Street specialising in game. A commemorative plaque to Charles Lamb is located at 64 Duncan
Terrace.
The ‘Salmon & Compass’ public house has become celebrated as a venue for rock and roll and also for other bands.
A figure of national interest whose family are from Chapel Market is Samantha Fox. CHAPEL WAY, Sussex Way 1922.
In 1921 no.1 was Chapel House. Chapel way was the name of nos. 3-5 Sussex Road, since 1938 Sussex Way.
CHAPMAN STREET
On a map of 1815. Built by Richard Chapman, a builder, who lived in Strahan Terrace and became bankrupt in 1830.
On a map of 1841. Re-named Trinity Street 1845, since 1938 Batchelor Street.
CHARD HOUSE, Andover Row (1975) Modernised by the G LC Andover Estate. Named after the railway junction.
CHARLES ALLEN HOUSE, Amwell Street (1968)
Named after Alderman Charles Alfred Allen, JP. a Councillor 1982-31, then 1934-1937, Mayor of Finsbury. In
November 1963 presented with the Freedom of the Borough.
CHARLES LAMB COURT, Gerrard Road (1956)
Flats on the site of 7-11 Gerrard Road. Charles Lamb and his sister Mary lived from 1823-7 at ‘Colebrooke Cottage’ in
nearby Duncan Terrace.
CHARLES ROWAN HOUSE, Merlin Street (1930)
Police quarters named after Sir Charles Rowan (c.1782-1852) First Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Force in
1829.
CHARLES SIMMONS HOUSE, Margery Street (1963)
Charles Simmons who lived at 5 Percy Circus, WC1 was during the late 1920s and early 1930s a Finsbury Council
member for Old Street ward.
CHARLES TOWNSEND HOUSE, Skinner Street (1967)
Named after Cllr Charles William Townsend a founder member of the Finsbury Labour Party, who served 1913-1931
on the Finsbury Borough Council and was also a Member of the Holborn and Finsbury Board of Guardians,
CHARLES STREET, Upper See UPPER CHARLES STREET.
CHARLES STREET, Upper Street See SWAN LEY STREET.
CHARLES STREET, City Road. C.1809 named MORE LAND STREET, with Macclesfield Place and Terrace since 1885. On
1841 Census as Charles Street.
CHARLES STREET, Oxford Road (c.1868) After 1937 YE ATE STREET.
CHARLES STREET, Caledonian Road (1868)
In 1879 re-named Charlesworth Street. Charlesworth Street disappeared by 1972.
CHARLES STREET, Finsbury.
On 1841 Census. In 1925 re-named and incorporated with Cowcross Street.
CHARLES STREET, Gibson Square.
In 1873 this name was abolished and the four houses forming the street included in Gibson Square.
Thomas Edlune Tomlins author of Yseldon: a perambulation of Islington (1858) lived in 1871 at no.3.
CHARLES STREET, Holloway (1889)
On a 1890-4 large scale map. By 1938 CORRALL ROAD.
CHARLESWORTH STREET
From 1879 the name of the former Charles Street, Caledonian Road. The street disappeared by 1972.
CHARLOTTE PLACE, Baron Street (1820) After 1939 Baron’s Close.
CHARLOTTE TERRACE, N1 (1842)
BERNERS HOUSE 1937 (improved by GLC), COPENHAGEN HOUSE 1938 (same), CORBET HOUSE 1936 (same), FISHER
“HOUSE (1939) (same), KENRICK HOUSE 1954 (rebuilding 1982), MESSITER HOUSE 1956, MOLTON HOUSE 1955,
PAYNE HOUSE 1937 (improved by GLC), REDMOND HOUSE 1954, SAMFORD HOUSE 1937 (improved by GLC),
THORPE HOUSE 1954, VENN HOUSE 1954 (rebuilding 1982), VITTORIA HOUSE 1938 (improved by GLC 1973).
CHARLTON CRESCENT (1785)
After 1922, Charlton Place.
CHARLTON PLACE,
South Side (1790) Before 1922 Charlton Crescent.
The architect of both above named being James Taylor (c.1765-1846). A commemorative plaque to the home of
Caroline Chisholm, founder of the Family Colonisation Loan Society, is located at 32 Charlton Place.
CHARTER BUILDINGS, Berry Street
(A.Grover & Co.) (1889) Gone by 1965/7.
CHARTERHOUSE CHAMBERS,
Charterhouse Square (1936)
CHARTERHOUSE STREET
Before 1881 Charterhouse Lane, after 1871 part was Hayne Street. No.99 before 1936 was called Crown Court.
An Anglican form of ‘Chartreuse’. In 1370 Sir Walter de Manny decided to found a Carthusian monastery. In 1545 the
buildings were acquired by Sir Edward North who demolished part but not all of the then existing buildings and built
a mansion used by Queen Elizabeth I for preparations for her Coronation. The Duke of Norfolk afterwards resided at
this great house and in 1611 it was purchased by Thomas Sutton, Master of Ordnance to Queen Elizabeth. He it was
who established an Almshouse and a School which became the famous public school. In 1872 this removed to
Godalming. The Merchant Taylors almost entirely demolished the buildings and built a new school opened in 1875.
Former scholars included Addison and Steele, Richard Lovelace, John Wesley, Sir Henry Havelock, George Grote, Lord
Ellenborough, Dr.Liddell, the Earl of Liverpool, John Leech, R.S.S.Baden-Powell, 1st Baron and W.M.Thackeray.
In 1933 the Merchant Taylors School moved and the Medical College of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital both occupied
and extended the buildings. After a bombing in 1941 the pensioners were in April 1951 welcomed to Suttons
Hospital in Charterhouse.
CHARTERHOUSE SQUARE
Here lived at various times Catherine Parr, John Leland the antiquary .William Davenant the playwright and Richard
Baxter, the Presbyterian divine, poet and writer.
Charterhouse Yard was there as early as 1617; the yard or square was known as such from an early period. The
ground in which the Square stands is supposed to have been part of the burial ground attached to the Charterhouse.
RUTLAND HOUSE in Charterhouse Square had plays produced in it written by Sir William Davenant (1606-1668).
The square resembles that of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
See also ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S MEDICAL SCHOOL.
William Wollaston (1660-1724) moral philosopher and writer lived in the Square.
CHARTERHOUSE YARD
Was there in 1617 and 1704.
CHARTERIS ROAD
Nos. 47-67 and 52-70 date from 1848/9, the rest from 1863/6.
Harrington Grove 1848/9,after 1894 became 47-67 and 52-70 CHARTER IS ROAD.
CHATTERTON ROAD
The name was approved on 27 January 1871 by the Metropolitan Board of Works on the application of a William Lee
of the British Land Co. Ltd. In an Islington directory for 1877 but not in the one for 1874.
It may be after Thomas Chatterton (17521770) the poet, or Lady Chatterton Meiremonger) (1806-76) who published
tales, notes of travel and poems.
Sgt. Charles William Train, VC, hero of the 2/14th London Re.g.iment (London Scottish) was born on 1891 in
Chatterton Road.
CHELMSFORD HOUSE, Holloway Road (1937)
CHEQUER ALLEY (Checker Alley), Bunhill Row.
Was there as early as 1642. Named after an old tavern, there in 1665, whose sign was a chequerboard.
CHEQUER STREET, EC1.
Before then, Chequer Alley and Chequer Square, a small open space on the north side.
PEABODY BUILDINGS, blocks N,R,S,T, and V. 1882.
CHERRY TREE WALK
Pedestrianised access way of Whitecross Street from 1981 serving part of the Whitbread Centre Development.
CHESTNUTS, Highbury Grange. 56 Islington Borough Council flats first occupied in 1946, the first of the Council’s
post-War housing estates to be completed.
CHEVERTON ROAD (1874) Named after Benjamin Cheverton (1794-1876) sculptor. In March 1889 the subsidiary
names Cheverton Villas and Austin Terrace were abandoned e.g. nos.43-57 were before 1900 1 -8 Austin Terrace.
HAZEL HOUSE 1974/5. It is also interesting that Sir Richard Cheverton, Lord Mayor of London in 1657 lived in
Clerkenwell Green.
CHICK LANE
See WEST STREET.
CHILLINGWORTH ROAD
Before 1937 VICTORIA ROAD (1837). See also RING CROSS.
The church of St. James, Chillingworth Road (architects: Inwood & Clifton, 1838) was in use until 1944; after bombing
in December 1944,the congre.g.ation used the church hall in Eden Grove. The Church closed in 1946 and the parish
became part of that of St. Mary Magdalene, Holloway Road. See also GEORGES ROAD. The Church with its one time
fine three decker pulpit, old pews, etc.. which were removed, became then a Community Centre and a 1984 redevelopment
is as ST. MARKS STUDIOS, entrance to 16 in Chillingworth Road and 14, St. Mary’s House.
CHIRGWIN COURT, Seven Sisters Road (1975)
Named after George H.Chirgwin (‘The White- Eyed Kaffir’) (1854-1922) music-hall artiste and singer who lived at 141
Seven Sisters Road from 1888-1893.
CHISWELL STREET
The place name means ‘stony’ or ‘gravelly earth’. In the 13th century known as Chysel Strate, in 1458 Cheselstrete
and in the Elizabethan period Chiswell, from Old English ‘ceosol’ a flint or pebble. Partly in the City of London.
Contains Whitbread’s Brewery. This building was bought by Samuel Whitbread in 1750. James Watt was
commissioned to build a steam engine and John Rennies to act in an advisory capacity in 1785. John Smeaton was
asked to build the original six cellars in which beer was stored and matured.
William Caslon the Elder (1692-1766) typefounder, moved from Ironmonger Row to Chiswell Street in 1738. Buried
in St. Luke’s churchyard. The firm continued at nos.22 and 23 until 1909. A plaque records that the Foundry was from
1737-1909 on the site of nos.21/23 Chiswell Street.
Several well-known bookbinders were here, William Oxlade c.1786, Gorge Wilmot and James Anderson c.1794. CITY
WALL HOUSE 1957.
CHRISTIE COURT, Hornsey Road (1969) On the former Christie Street housing site.
CHRISTIE STREET
Before 1937 Gladstone Street; this first appears in a 1903 directory, but Gladstone Place, Hornsey Road was as old as
1867.
CHRISTOPHER STREET, Finsbury Square Before 1889 KING STREET. Nos.1 -7 only are Islington, the rest Hackney.
CHURCH COTTAGE, St. Mary’s Path St. Mary’s Path was before 1937, Church Lane.
This was formerly the Sexton’s and Gravedigger’s house and may well have been there when Charles Wesley was a
Curate of St Mary’s parish church from 1738-9, as it is shown on a map of 1735. In 1951 a former Soup Kitchen
founded c.1860 and shown in local directories form 1860-1886 was in an outbuilding at the back of Church Cottage,
which cottage was at that time, 1951, occupied by the Curate of St. Mary’s. The big soup containers with hinged lids
and a limestone tablet with the names of the Churchwardens who were helping in this Islington Soup Kitchen to
provide soup to the poor and needy were dismantled.
CHURCH GARTH, Pemberton Gardens (1966)
CHURCH LANE
Contains Church Cottage. On 1806 map as such.
Shown as such on maps of 1870 and registers of electors of 1901 .since 1937 St. Mary’s Path.
The Church Lane Clearance Order of 1934 removed occupiers of houses and re-housed them in Wakelin House,
Sebbon Street.
The Church Lane Development Scheme was opened in January 1937 by HRH the Duke of Kent. See SALISBURY
HOUSE.
CHURCH PASSAGE
Since 1937 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street. On map as early as 1806.
CHURCH PATH, Highbury Fields. On 1735 and 1841 maps, also those of 1871 and 1874 but not so designated.
CHURCH ROAD
After 1937 NORTHCHURCH ROAD.
Before 1864 Alma Terrace and Pembroke Terrace.
CHURCH ROW (c.1768-9)
After 1937 ST. LUKE’S ROW, Norman Street EC1.
CHURCH ROW, Upper Street
313-330 Upper Street, between Gaskin Street and Islington Green. There on a map of 1806.
Re-numbered in 1860.see also ISLINGTON CHURCH ROW.
CHURCH STREET
Since 1937 GASKIN STREET.
Shown as Church St. in late 18th-century ratebooks. Here was a chapel founded in 1788 by John Ives, blacksmith and
Jeremiah Garrett. One preacher who visited and preached there was the Rev. John Marrant, an American ne.g.ro
preacher. The increase of its congre.g.ation led to its enlargement and subsequently to the erection of a new chapel
in 1814. The old chapel became a British School and later became used by a firm of feather dyers in Gaskin St.
The new chapel at the corner of Upper Street and Gaskin Street was erected 1814-15,altered 1847-8 and rebuilt by
architects, Bonella & Paul 1887/9.
CHURCH STREET, New North Road (1849) Called St. Philip Street in 1871 since 1938 St. Philip’s Way.
CHURNFIELD, Pooles Park (Six Acres Estate) (1969)
CITIZEN HOUSE, Hornsey Road (1970) This is part of the Harvist Estate named after Edward Harvist, citizen and
brewer. See under HARVIST.
CITIZEN ROAD (1865/6) Until 1967.
CITY GARDEN ROW
See also Palmerston Flats. On a map of 1809, as such, at the Finsbury Library. Shown on R. Dent’s 1806 map of
Islington as ‘a piece of ground called No Man’s Land now forming part of the City Gardens on which are erected 24
cottages or dwellings.’ Page 347 of S.Lewis Jr’s History of Islington (1842) says, ‘the City Gardens. . . probably derived
their name from the circumstances of some cultivated grounds attached to them having been rented by the citizens
for their occasional retirement.
CITY GATE HOUSE, 39-45 Finsbury Square (1930)
A plaque reads: ‘On 29 July 1871 the Austrian composer Anton Bruckner (18241896) stayed in the house which used
to occupy this site.’
Whilst in London, he started on his Second Symphony.
CITY MANSIONS, Exmouth Market (1930) Before 1915 City Arms Buildings (c.1855).
Owned in the 1870s by the Corporation of the City of London.
CITY ROAD (1761)
105a-257 are in Hackney ,the rest in Islington. Re-numbered 1859 and partly in 1910, a toll-gate was from 1766-1864
from the south west corner of the Leysian Mission site to the site of Old Street tube station.
The City Road was ‘projected about the year 1756 by Charles Dingley, Esq, a gentleman well known for his
unsuccessful attempt to establish the use of that ingenious machine, the saw-mill.
Before 1860 when it was renamed and renumbered and named CITY ROAD throughout, consisted of subsidiary
parts. See also ANDERSON’S ROW.
E.g. 415-393 were before 1860 Upper and Lower Duncan Place, 319-389 were before 1860 York Place.
Robert Bloomfield (1766-1823), English pastoral poet, after the publication of The Farmer’s Boy (1800) took a
cottage in the City Road.
The Orphan Working School, founded 1758 in Hoxton, moved in 1775 to the west side of the City Road (between
Pickard St. and Macclesfield Rd), moving in 1847 to Haverstock Hill, 1867 to Maitland Park. Now the Royal Alexandra
& Albert School, Gatton Park, Reigate.
LANGDON COURT 1961, EAGLE DWELLINGS, City Road 1885.
The Leysian Mission takes its name from the Leys School at Cambridge, some of the former pupils of that school
being responsible for the be.g.innings of the Mission in Whitecross Street in 1886. In 1890 larger premises were built
in Errol Street until the great building and Large Hall were opened by Queen Mary, consort of George V in 1904, The
Leysian Mission was badly bomb-damaged, but the work of the mission went on. In 1955 Queen Elizabeth the Queen
Mother re-opened a new Large Hall.
ST MATTHEW’S, City Road. By G.Scott 1847-8. Seated 800. Bombed 24/25 September 1940, but continued until
1952. The site by Oak ley Crescent was for housing. The schools were in Nelson Place, built 1851-3. Bomb damaged
1940, closed by 1955.
MOORFIELDS EYE HOSPITAL (the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital) was first situated in 1805 in Charterhouse
Street, but in 1899 after being in Eldon Street, the present building was opened and since then a lot of new
construction and building has occurred.
ST. MARK’S HOSPITAL. Founded in 1835, commencing in Aldersgate St, but in 1853 the present building was opened.
A new building on additional land was opened in 1896 and since then has been enlarged. Here Walter Richard
Sickert. RA, (1860-1942) was treated as a child of five for fistula.
The clock at the junction of City Road and Goswell Road 1905 (John Smith & Sons of St. John’s Square); erected in
place of a former public clock. In 1826 on the latter’s site was an obelisk erected by the City Road Trust.
ARMOURY HOUSE (1735) is named after the new Armoury, built in 1735 on the Artillery Ground, headquarters of the
H.A.C. and added to in 1828 and 1857. See also ARMOURY HOUSE.
FINSBURY BARRACKS: designed by Joseph Jennings, architect of Foley Place date from 1857 and opened as a new
depot for the Royal London Militia.
The City of London Lying-in Hospital for Married Women, designed by Robert Mylne, was moved to Hanley Road,
Holloway (q.v.). The Lord Mayor in April 1950 opened the new building in the latter.
A plaque on 47 City Road reads ‘John Wesley (1703-91), evangelist and founder of Methodism, lived here.’
WESLEY’S CHAPEL, City Road, had its foundation stone laid by John Wesley in 1777; he preached there untiI 1791
and was buried in its graveyard, In 1879 it was damaged by fire and extensively repaired. The WESLEY MUSEUM is in
the nearby house where the great preacher used to live and died 2nd March 1791, and was restored in 1934.
The old MACCLESFIELD ARMS which lasted as a public house from 1820-1956 was demolished 1980.
The EAGLE TAVERN and GRECIAN THEATRE, see SHEPHERDESS WALK.
FARRINGDON MAR KET on the site of the old St. Bride’s Paupers’ Burial Ground, City Road. The ve.g.etable market
moved to Covent Garden. By 1930, houses.
At 391 City Road in May 1984 the Iscinin Sesi (TURKISH COMMUNITY LIBRARY) moved in and a reception in
September was attended by Chris Smith, MP, the Deputy Mayor of Hackney and others.
For the BLUE COAT BOY (The Blue Angel), see DUNCAN PLACE.
At no.10 City Road, from c.1797-1842 was the Finsbury Museum or Curiosity House of Thomas Hall, taxidermist.
CITY UNIVERSITY, St. John St.
Stands on the site of the ancient Manor House of Clerkenwell, residence of the Northampton family until the end of
the 17th century when it was converted into a private asylum. It was afterwards used as a girls’ school and c.1860 as
a boys’ school called the Manor House School. In 1898 the Northampton Polytechnic Institute was opened on a 1 1/2
acre site, presented by the Marquess of Northampton. Annexes such as the Connaught Building, ‘ Whiskin Street
opened in 1932, but since then huge and extensive re-building has taken place. It was in January 1957 designated a
College of Advanced Technology. It became the CITY UNIVERSITY in 1966.
CITY WALL HOUSE, Chiswell St. (1957)
CLAREMONT PLACE, Pentonville (1829) Contained the North London Literary & Scientific Institution, 1833.
Terence O’Neill, poet, journalist and novelist lived here.
CLAREMONT CLOSE, New River Estate (1935)
Acquired 1964. Part formerly Myddleton Mews before 1905, later Claremont Mews.
CLAREMONT ROW (1813)
After 1866,nos. 64-100 Barnsbury Road.
All named after Claremont, Esher, residence of Princess Charlotte of Wales.
CLAREMONT SQUARE
Before 1825/6 Myddleton Terrace.
The west side only was erected in 1821 and then called Myddelton Terrace; the range of houses on the south side,
built in 1828, completed the Square.
Kilburn Scott, who introduced the Samoyed dog into Great Britain in 1889 lived in the Square.
Robert Kemp Philp (1819-1882), compiler, died on 30th November 1882, and lived here.
Emily Soldene, see under DUNCAN TERRACE.
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), world- famous Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher lived in Myddelton Terrace
for some time with Edward Irving (1792-1834) founder of the Catholic Apostolic Church.
The Service Reservoir of the former New River Company was covered over in 1856 at a cost of £21,000. This was
formerly in fields and called the High Pond and was depicted in a view of 1730.
The old CLERKENWELL VOLUNTEERS used to exercise in a field locally nicknamed the ‘Tub Field’ because the New
River Co. owned it.
Walter Richard Sickert, RA (1860-1942) lodged for a short while for the 1877-1881 period. In 1877 he had
matriculated from King’s College, London and joined Sir Henry Irving’s stage company, remaining with them until
1881 when he entered the Slade School of Art.
CLARENCE HOUSE, Essex Road (1908)
CLARENCE LODGE (1853-1863) Later 296-300 Essex Road.
CLARENCE PLACE, Central Street Closing Order 1935.
In St. Luke, Old Street, rate book Xmas 1831.
CLARENCE ROAD (1866)
After 1877 incorporated in ISLEDON ROAD.
CLARENCE STREET (1828)
Since 1936 EXCHANGE STREET, Lever Street.
CLARENCE STREET (c.1848-53)
After 1938 GOUGH STREET.
CLARENCE TERRACE
See YORK PLACE, Barnsbury Park.
CLARK STREET (c.1819) After 1936PARDON STREET,
CLARK’S PLACE, Islington High St. Also Clarke’s Place.
There in 1817. Changed to part of Upper Street between 1856 and 1859. After then, nos. 1-7 Upper Street.
CLAYTON COTTAGES (1847) and CLAYTON PLACE (1844)
Later absorbed in Copenhagen St.
Named after James Clayton of Edward Terrace who owned the properties.
CLAYTON STREET (1848) Since 1938 Tl LLOCH STREET.
CLEPHANE ROAD (1850) Renumbered in 1866.
Named after Margaret Clephane who in 1815 married the 2nd Marquess of Northampton. She was descended from
the Douglases of Kirkness.
SYBIL THORNDIKE HOUSE 1954. Named after Dame Sybil Thorndike (1882-1976) DBE, CH, famous actress.
CLERE PLACE, Tabernacle Street
Before 1938 Paradise Place c.1792.
CLERE STREET
Before 1938 Paradise Street c.1792. East side is in Hackney.
Both named after the well of St. Agnes le Clere or Dame Annis the Cleare, see RAY STREET.
CLERKENWELL CLOSE
There in 1740. Renumbered 1903. Incorporated Newcastle Place and renamed and renumbered 1939.
Originally formed part of the area enclosed by the Cloisters of the former Nunnery of St. Mary Clerkenwell
suppressed by Henry VIII in 1539 and founded c.1100.
Here lived Sir Thomas Chaloner (15211565), diplomatist, ambassador and author and John Weever (1576-1632),
English poet and antiquary and author of Ancient Funeral Monuments.
Theophilus Garencieres, MD (1610-1680) Physician to the French Ambassador in London and a translator, lived in the
Close. He it was who taught Thomas Britton to love chemistry.
Richard de Burgh (of Kinsale), 4th Earl of Clanricarde and in 1628 Earl of St. Albans in 1619 had his town house in the
Close.
The Horseshoe public house was there in 1833.
CLERKENWELL GREEN
See also RAY STREET for the Clerk’s Well.
In the 17th century ‘environed by the mansions of the noble and affluent.’ I n a period up to the early 1820s there
were rows of trees.
Richard Keele, highwayman, hung on the Green 23 December 1713. The Rev. Anthony Middleton was executed
there 22nd of June, 1599.
The Green was for many years a place for public meetings. William Cobbett addressed a huge meeting protesting
about the Corn Laws, 15 February 1826.
Fergus O’Connor addressed a crowd at a Chartist meeting 3 April 1848.
On the 23rd of July 1866 a monster gathering there went on to Hyde Park and pulled down the park railings. In 1872
there was a huge meeting of the London Patriotic Club Working Men’s Club. The Sunday morning speeches and
gatherings on the Green were addressed by speakers like Foote, Bradlaugh, John Burns, etc..
The parish church of ST. JAMES & ST. JOHN WITH ST. PETER replaced the old Nunnery Church of St. Mary demolished
in 1788. The Church’s architect was James Carr but in 1849 the steeple was rebuilt and in 1882 the church was
restored by Re.g.inald (later Sir) Blomfield (1856-1942). Monuments are to Sir William Weston, last Prior of St.
John’s, Henry Penton (after whom Pentonville is named, Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury and Reformation
historian and there is a memorial stone to William Wood, a celebrated archer who died in 1691.
St. Peter’s or the Smithfield Martyrs Memorial Church (1871) was demolished in 1956.
The Welsh Charity School, designed by James Steer dated from 1737, but by 1772 this school had moved to Gray’s
Inn Road and this Welsh Girls’ School (as it later became) in July 1857 moved to Ashford, Middx. (St. David’s School).
Since 1933 it has housed the MARX MEMORIAL LIBRARY, set up in that year to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of his death. The first public lecture was in Nov. 1933 by Tom Mann, leader of the 1889 Dock Strike and a friend of
Eleanor Marx and Frederick Engels. The Library and Workers’ School houses a remarkable collection including the
James Klugmann collection of Radical and Chartist literature, the official archive of the International Brigade of the
Spanish Civil War.
Here in 1893 was the socialist press, the Twentieth Century press and Harry Quelch (1858-1913) from this building
printed Justice which he edited from 1886. He also helped Lenin with ‘Iskra’ (the ‘Spark’), the organ of the Russian
Social Democratic Party during 1902 and 1903 and they shared a small office there together, still to be seen.
The library has unique collections on Ireland, the Hunger Marches, the Spanish Civil War, the Third World, the Peace
Movement, etc.., and Mikhail Gorbachov, Leader of the USSR has, with a Russian top-level dele.g.ation, visited this
important library.
WILLIAM MORRIS spoke here as from 1872 until 1893, when they moved to other premises and was a guarantor of
the London Patriotic Club, a working men’s club for working men and also women to come and talk and read books.
There is a banner there Morris made for the Hammersmith Socialist Society.
Marx House and Library has over 100,000 volumes!
Stocks were removed from the Green 1st of September 1803.
The former Middlesex Sessions House was built 1779-1782 to replace Hicks Hall, put up in 1612 and named after Sir
Baptist Hicks. This latter became dilapidated and the new Sessions House was built and designed by Thomas Rogers
and enlarged in 1860 by F. H. Pownall. The great sculptor Joseph Nollekens (1737-1823) designed the county arms
and medallions on the front of the building.
By 1920 the building was no longer used as a sessions house but by various business firms. It is now the London
Masonic Centre and Clerkenwell Conference Centre.
Izaak Walton (1593-1683), poet and author and ‘patron saint’ of anglers, lived in a house off the Green and issued
from there The Compleat Angler.
John Wilkes (1727-1797) delivered here on the Green his great speech on his expulsion from the House of Commons.
The Green has long been celebrated for its open-air speakers and protest meetings.
The CROWN TAVERN was an ancient hostelry but rebuilt in the early 18th century and again in the Victorian period.
In the 19th century its interior was used as a Concert Hall. The old tavern was part of the site of the Cloister of the
Nunnery of St. Mary.
The Women’s Trade Union League office was on the first floor of the Working Men’s’ Club and Institute Union, 1890-
1910.formed by Henry Solly in 1862.
Oliver Twist was taught by Fagin to pick pockets here on the Green, in Dickens novel, Oliver Twist.
The one time stationery stores and furniture depository of the LCC have been converted into the CLERKENWELL
WORKSHOPS, since the 1980s becoming more and more recognised as a centre of skilled diversity with over 140
workshops representing over 50 trades and services.
CLERKENWELL ROAD
Opened in April 1878 by Sir J. M. Hogg, Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works. Only nos. 1-61 and 2-120 are
in Islington, the rest in the Borough of Camden. Part before 1878 Wilderness Row, partially re-numbered in
1904,1910 and 1911.
St. Peter’s Italian Church was built in 1863. Caruso and Gigli used to sing from its steps. The Church is famous for its
Italian processions every year on the Sunday following the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in July. The Church
was built by immigrants from Italy in 1863. Garibaldi visited London in 1864 and made his way to Clerkenwell very
soon after arriving.
From 1836 onwards this area was home to Mazzini and his revolutionary friends and supporters.
William Makepeace Thackeray (18111863) lived in Clerkenwell Road from 1822 to 1824.
The Columbia Gramophone Company had recording studios c. 1915-17 period at nos. 102-108.
Nos. 49 to 53, ‘The Red House’ dates from 1885. From World War I and during the early 1930s the HoIborn Union
had offices there.
VICTORIA DWELLINGS 1880.
CLEVELAND ROAD (1863)
Nos. 24 to 46 date from 1980.
St. John the Baptist’s Church. Architect: W. Wigginton 1872. Bombed 1940 and 1944. Demolished by 1981.
CLIFTON COURT, Playford Road (1968)
CLIFTON PLACE, Stroud Vale, Holloway (1847)
CLIFTON ROAD
From 1860-3 Benjamin Road. From 1863-75 Clifton Road, afterwards SHELBURNE ROAD.
CLIFTON TERRACE (1873-4)
A very poor area in 1875, mentioned in the annual report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Nos. 40-46 re-numbered as units on new industrial development, 1982.
CLIFTON VILLAS, Highgate Hill (c. 1865)
CLOCKTOWER MEWS, Arlington Avenue (1981)
CLOCKTOWER PLACE, North Road (1967) Named after the turret clock, still standing as a centre piece of the Market
Estate. Formerly, with Bank Buildings, part of the Caledonian Market.
See under CALEDONIAN ROAD for more about the clock.
CLOUDESLEY MANSIONS, Cloudesley Place (1906)
CLOUDESLEY PLACE, formerly Elizabeth Terrace (1821) Re-named 1881-2.
Since 1901 the ‘Cloudesley Place Yard’ which formerly had stabling for horses was used by the firm of Messrs. Dove
Bros and is now, with Cloudesley Works, the headquarters of this eminent firm of builders and craftsmen founded in
1781.
An Archive collection of some of the records of this firm is housed at the Central Library.
CLOUDESLEY ROAD (c. 1866)
Made up of Elizabeth Terrace (1821), Park Road (c. 1835), Islington Place (1835), White Conduit Terrace (1809, by
1870 nos. 2-38), Barnsbury Row (1843), Providence Place and Row (1829), Upper and Lower Islington Terrace (c.
1825-6), Denmark Terrace (Upper Copenhagen St.), 1839.
Extensively re-numbered after 1866, see also LOWER ISLINGTON TERRACE and UPPER ISLINGTON TERRACE.
CLOUDESLEY SQUARE
See also MILTON’S YARD.
First occupied 1826. The centre-piece is the church of the Holy Trinity designed by Sir Charles Barry, erected 1826-9
and modelled on King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. It was restored in 1902.
A handsome painted window commemorates Richard You alias Richard Cloudesley who died in 1517 and
bequeathed to the parish the piece of ground the ‘Stony Field’ (hence the Stonefield Estate) upon which the church
is built. He bequeathed in his will an allowance of straw for the prisoners of Newgate, King’s Bench, Marshalsea and
Bedlam, gowns valued at 6s 8d each for the poor and a number of bequests. There is still administered the
‘Cloudesley Charity’.
Since 1980 HOLY TRINITY, Cloudesley Square building has been a Pentecostal Black church, the Celestial Church of
Christ.
Holy Trinity Infant Schools were founded in 1830. In 1958 the Elizabeth Whitelaw Reid Youth Club functioned from
there and their former premises are now used by the Grubb Behavioural Studies Institute, EWR Centre, Cloudesley
Street.
George Linnaeus Banks (1821-1881), miscellaneous writer, advocate of social reform and his wife Isabella, poet and
novelist (1821-1897) in 1864 lived at 33 Cloudesley Square.
Thomas Edwards (1779-1858), famous for his English-Welsh Dictionary (1850) died at no. 10 in 1858.
STONEFIELD MANSIONS, 1906.
CLOUDESLEY STREET (1837)
Completed by 1839 by Louis England, a local timber merchant.
Thomas Hosmer Shepherd on 4th July 1864 died at no. 5. See BATCHELOR STREET. For Elizabeth Whitelaw Reid
Youth Club and Grubb Institute see above under Holy Trinity Infant Schools.
CLOUDESLEY TERRACE (1819)
Completed by 1829. Built by John Emmett.
After 1866, 83-199 Liverpool Road. John Abraham Heraud (1799-1887), author and dramatic critic, playwright and
poet, lived at no. 2 from c. 1849-1860; he was a friend of Carlyle, Southey and Lockhart and in 1873 a Brother of
Charterhouse; his daughter Edith was an actress and an elocutionist.
Henry Butter whose spelling book was known throughout England lived at no. 54 from 1846-1854.
CLUSE COURT, St. Peter’s Street (1956) Named after Will Cluse (William Sampson Cluse, 1875-1955), born at 10
Hampden Road, trade unionist and Labour MP for South Islington, 1923-1931 and 1935-50.
CLYDESDALE TERRACE
Since 1878, 25-45 Elthome Road.
CLYDE TERRACE (1848)
Later 112-132 Copenhagen Street.
CLYRO COURT, Tollington Park (1967)
Named after a parish and village in South Radnorshire with a seat, Ciyro Court.
COACH & HORSES LANE (1831)
By 1869 Matthias Road (a boundary road, partly Hackney).
COACH HOUSE LANE (1984)
New access way running west from Highbury Hill.
COATBRIDGE HOUSE, Carnoustie Drive (1974)
COBDEN BUILDINGS, 128-136 Kings Cross Road (1862)
Named after Richard Cobden (1804-65), politician and advocate of Free Trade.
COBURG STREET
After 1912 GOODE STREET.
COCK or Roffe’s Lane
Early 17th century, later Tollington Way.
COLBECK MEWS, Canonbury Road (1980-1) After Mrs. Clara Margaret Colbeck, Alderman September 1960-1 and
1965-8, a Councillor for Thornhill Ward 1962-4, Chair of South Islington Co-operative Party. For 60 years lived at 94
St. Pauls Road and was aged 90 in August 1975.
COLDBATH FIELDS
There in 1707; in 1794 was built on the site of the Mount Pleasant Post Office Buildings, the Middlesex House of
Correction, additions to the building being made afterwards. The treadmill was introduced here in 1822 and the
‘Silent System’ in 1834. It closed in 1885, prisoners being transferred to Pentonville. The first post office buildings
were put up in 1889.
COLDBATH SQUARE
In the news in 1986 with an exhibition of new sculpture. Named after a Cold Bath discovered in 1697 by Walter
Baynes, who died in 1745. Later famed for curing ‘nerval disorders’. The Bath remained until 1870.
Eustace Budgell, writer and friend of Addison, lived 1733-6 in the Square. Committed suicide in 1737.
‘Lady Lewson’ (1700-1816) died aged 116 on 28 May 1816, an eccentric and elderly resident of the Square.
COLDBATH BUILDINGS (1889-1945)
COLEBROOKE ROW
Built 1768; first appearing in 1771 rate books.
I n 1864 it was decided ‘that the line of houses from the City Road to Essex Road known as River Terrace, River
Terrace North Montague Place, Colebrooke Row and Birds Buildings should be called Colebrooke Row throughout.’
George Colebrooke in 1792 owned property here and the Row was built on land belonging to the family. Sir George
Colebrooke, banker and former Chairman of the East India Company was an import-ant member of the family, James
Colebrooke in 1751 laid the foundation stone of St. Mary’s Parish Church, Upper Street and was then the largest
landed proprietor in the parish.
The former 32a Colebrooke Row, demolished in 1952 was the home from 1772-6 of William Woodfall (1746-1803). H
e was a pioneer of Hansard and parliamentary reporting. HERMITAGE HOUSE (flats) first occupied in 1959, are on the
site. The name commemorates the Hermitage Fields and the Hermitage Estate, intimately connected with Dame
Alice Owen and Owen’s School.
No. 57 (before 1870 no, 27) was the Castle Inn and Tea Gardens, there in 1720 and mentioned in 1754 as a place
where a Londoner could obtain cider and heartcakes. A nursery garden until about 1822 occupied six acres in the
rear of Colebrooke Row. No. 57 was the home from 1955 until sometime in the early 1960s of Cyril Ray .journalist,
writer, broadcaster and wine connoisseur.
For Dr. William Pitcairn and Pitcairn’s Botanical Garden see UPPER STREET. Next to the Castle cider tavern is alleged
to have lodged Colley Cibber (1671-1757) Poet Laureate to George 11 from 1730-1757, but now best known for his
Apology . . . for his Life. For an account of his youngest daughter Charlotte Charke who died in 1760 see under
BREWER STREET. She was an eccentric and so was the eccentric Portuguese nobleman the Baron Ephraim Lopez
d’Aguilar (1740-1802) who had his ‘Starvation Farm’ on the banks of the New River approximately opposite to where
the firm of S. J. Boulton 8i Sons, builders at no. 59 occupied premises for some years. Here he kept a farm of starved
and emaciated animals His excesses of eccentric behaviour were widely known, even in the 18th century. He was
also very miserly and starved and abused his wife, yet strangely did make some donations to the poor and fatherless.
The Rev. George Burder (1752-1832) lived for some years at no. 13, see BURDER CLOSE.
James Burgh (1714-1775) see BURGH STREET died in the Row as did William Carpenter (1797-1874), political
reformer and miscellaneous writer.
At no. 1 (by 1866 re-numbered to 32) was the once celebrated private school, COLEBROOKE HOUSE ACADEMY, there
as early as 1802. Before the 1850s it was for ‘young gentlemen’ and by 1852 for ‘young ladies’. During the 1890s and
up to 1905 the Misses Salmon & Tucker were the proprietresses.
COLEBROOKE SCHOOL opened 1914 for mentally handicapped [children] and was re-organised 1951 for ESN Senior
Girls until their move to the Chequers School, EC1, after which it was re-opened as an all-age school for
‘maladjusted’ children.
The former SCOTCH CHURCH, River Terrace was originally in Chadwell Street but opened 4 December 1834 (Kirk of
Scotland). By 1843 it was a Scotch Free Church and by 1860 English Presbyterian becoming Islington Presbyterian
Church, 11a Colebrooke Row until it closed in 1923. Its valuable records are at the Central Library.
WIDFORDHOUSE (1966) is on its site.
ASMAN HOUSE 1963, HERMITAGE HOUSE 1959.
Edmond Phillipe Bridel (d. 1815) kept from 1802-1818 an Academy at Birds Buildings (later nos. 60-68), Lower Road.
His son-in-law was John Diederich Niemann, father of the landscape artist E. J. Niemann, born in Islington in 1813.
COLEBROOKE TERRACE
Originally ‘New Terrace’, 1791-8, in 1805 ‘The Terrace’.
In 1871 nos. 1-9 Colebrooke Terrace became 1-9 New Terrace, Colebrooke Row.
By 1892 incorporated in Duncan Terrace. Nos. 10-13 Colebrooke Terrace by 1892 becoming 46-49 Duncan Terrace.
On February 12th 1812 John Till Allingham died at his father’s house in Colebrooke Terrace, see ALLINGHAM STREET.
COLEMAN FIELDS (1850-1937) Formerly Coleman Street.
In 1559 Dame Anne Packington bequeathed to the Clothworkers’ Co. in her Will 23 acres and 1 rood of land,
including ‘one close called Little Colemans . .. and three roods, lying in a Close called Great Colemans’.
COLEMAN MANSIONS, Crouch Hill (1937) Re-habilitated 1980.
Their architect was E.C. P. Monson, FRIBA and on 2 October 1937 the flats were opened by The Lord Snell, PC, CBE,
LLD, JP, then the Chairman of the LCC. Present was Councillor H. G. Coleman, JP, The latter was Mayor, 1934-6, in
1950 and Alderman, was awarded the OBE in 1951 and was in 1953 Chairman of the Finsbury Division of Justices. He
died in May, 1955.
COLEMAN STREET, Bunhill Row, Finsbury. Was there 1799. Part re-named Baird Street 1883.
COLEMAN STREET, New North Road (1850)
By 1938 Coleman Street.
COLEMANS BUILDINGS, Lever Street (1885)
Until c. 1945.
COLERIDGE ROAD, N4 (1864)
COLES TERRACE (1826)
After 1863, nos. 118-180 Barnsbury Road. Before 1835 partly included Arundel Place Terrace. Named after a John
Coles, owner of the property.
COLINSDALE, Camden Walk (1969) Designed by Alfred E. Head, Borough Architect, E.C. P. Monson, architect and
Margaret Maxwell, landscape consultant. Opened June 1969 by Cllr. R. E. Trott, Mayor, JP.
COLLEGE CROSS
From 1880-1938 College Street.
College Street, Barnsbury dates from 1835. It was marked out for sewers by Thomas Cubitt and he built 2 or 3
houses.
College Cross is so-called because on the site of Sutton’s Dwellings was the CHURCH MISSIONARY COLLEGE
(architect: William Brooks, 1787-1867), founded in 1825 and closed in 1915. This was on the site of Jacob Harvey’s
botanic garden (Harvey d. 1770).
Before 1938 part of College Cross was College Place (dating from 1840) where in 1877 Kate Greenaway, artist, wellknown
for her illustrations of Victorian children, rented a studio. A commemorative plaque to Kate Greenaway is
located at 147 Upper Street.
MITCHELL HOUSE 1951. NEW COLLEGE MEWS 1976.
COLLEGE GARDENS
Built c.1900 between nos.4 and 6 Carleton Road in the grounds of the former Queens College private school.
COLLEGE HILL, Highbury Park North By 1877 AUBERT PARK.
COLLEGE PLACE, Liverpool Road.
By 1880 College Street, by 1938 COLLEGE CROSS.
COLLEGE PLACE, Highbury Vale (1827) After c. 1879-81 ELWOOD STREET.
COLLEGE ROAD, Highbury
Appears only in 1830-41 rate books. Formerly Highbury Park North. Re-named 1875.
COLLEGE STREET, Barnsbury (1835)
COLLEGE STREET NORTH
Appears 1835-6 only.
COLLEGE TERRACE, College Street (1835)
COLLEY HOUSE, Hilldrop Road (1951)
COLLIER STREET (1790)
Re-numbered and subsidiary names abolished, 1890.
Probably named after Thomas Collier, who had a vault under the west steps of St. James’s, Pentonville and was a
proprietor and a trustee of the Pentonville Chapel; John Collier was also the name of Henry Penton’s rent collector
for many years! Another suggestion is that it was John Collier, a watch finisher of Red Lion Street, but this seems less
likely.
The Pentonville Charity School started at 7 Hermes Street in 1788 but in 1811 schools were erected in Collier Street.
In 1951 the records were deposited with the GLC.
CALSHOT HOUSE 1957.FOLIOT HOUSE and GORDON HOUSE 1951, KENDAL HOUSE 1950, PAVELEY HOUSE 1951,
REDINGTON AND TORNAY HOUSES 1951 .WYNFORD HOUSE 1956. The PRIORY GREEN ESTATE was designed 1951-7
by Berthold Lubetkin.
Submitted by a contributor (2017): The London Playing Fields Foundation was once located at 73 Collier Street. The
LPFF is now based in Bloomsbury Street. One of its former Chief Executives was Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes, the
current Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Islington (2017). See also Theberton Street.
COLLINS ROAD
Before 1938 Paradise Road, Highbury New Park (1859).
Named after William Collins (1721-56), poet, who lived for a time in Islington and was found there not so long before
his death at Chichester in lodgings ‘with the New Testament in his hand and saying to the friend who found him, ‘I
have but one book but that the best!’
COLLINS YARD (1845) Before 1938 Brewer’s Yard.
Named after the former Collins’s Music Hall which was the building now used as offices and showrooms by Messrs,
Andersons, timber merchants, Islington Green.
By tradition the Yard was the site of a Plague Pit at the time of the Great Plague of London, 1665. See also
ISLINGTON GREEN.
COLNE HOUSE, Offord Road (1895)
COLTASH COURT, Whitecross Street (1969)
COMMERCE ROW, Upper Street (1817-18)
First so designated 1819. Approximately where nos. 101-108 Upper Street are.
COMMERCIAL PLACE, Caledonian Road (1847)
By 1863 nos. 54-68 Caledonian Road.
COMMERCIAL PLACE, York Road (c.1847)
By 1882 58-60 York Road.
COMPTON AVENUE
Named after the family name of the Marquess of Northampton.
Before 1877, Compton Mews, at the rear of Compton Terrace, dating from 1845.
Contained EDWARD’S COTTAGES, from 71 Canonbury Road-10 Compton Avenue. Demolished 1956, site redeveloped
1977,
The Compton Arms public house is from 1895.
COMPTON BUILDINGS, Compton Street (1872-6)
COMPTON PLACE, Canonbury Square (1838) Not in local rate books except for the 1838-54 period, not in Islington
local directories.
COMPTON ROAD (1850-1) Incorporated Northampton and Downing Terraces and St. George’s Villas.
In 1868 subsidiary names abolished, e.g. 24-39 Compton Road were 1-15 Downing Terrace, 59-39 Compton Road
were 1-21 Northampton Terrace.
COMPTON SQUARE (1867-9) The Vestry Minutes 4th October 1878 refer to ‘a nuisance caused by cabs being washed
and goats running about unrestrained in the square’.
COMPTON STREET, St. John Street On J. Rocque’s map of 1738-40.
Contains Compton Passage. Church School opened 1858 (Rev. S. A. Herbert). Compton Street School (ILEA) there up
to 1979.
COMPTON STREET (1843)
Since July 1st 1937, BINGHAM STREET (q.v.). See also ST. PAUL’S SHRUBBERIES.
COMPTON TERRACE (1806-10)
Built by Henry Leroux of Stoke Newington, architect of Canonbury Square (1826) ‘by the erection of Union Chapel
and four adjoining houses’. He went bankrupt 1809 and in 1810 lived in the Square, The original Chapel opened in
August 1806. The present UNION CHAPEL to the designs of James Cubitt (1876).
COMPTON TERRACE was finished by Henry Flower and Samuel Kell 1821 and 1827-31.
UNION CHAPEL is in the style of Santa Fosca, Torcello and was completed in 1889. It was opened on 5th December
1877, Mr Gladstone being among the worshippers!
Set in a niche in the brickwork just above the door leading from the interior or of the Chapel to the Vestries is a
fragment of Plymouth Rock on which the Mayflower Pilgrims first set foot in 1620. This was presented to the Chapel
in 1883 by the Pilgrim Society of America in grateful recognition of a lecture tour of America made by the Chapel’s
outstanding and famous pastor and preacher, Dr. Henry Allon, pastor from 1843 until his death in 1892. See also ST.
MARY’S ROAD. The Lecture Hall, Compton Terrace and the Sunday Schools in Compton Avenue were added in 1901.
Two important organists of the Chapel and composers of hymns were H. J. Gauntlett and Ebenezer Prout.
No.25 Compton Terrace was from 1952 the residence of the Rev. Joost de Blank who in 1957 become Archbishop of
Cape Town.
The grandfather, John Betjemann, of the late Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjemann, CBE, (1906-1983) lived in 1882 at
no.13;
Samuel Lewis (the elder), publisher, died in February 1865 at 19; his son, Samuel Lewis, Jr, wrote the History,
Topography and Antiquities of the Parish of St. Mary Islington (1842) and died at Priory Villas, Canonbury in 1865.
Edward George Ballard (1791-1860), poet and author, died at no.7 and his son Edward Ballard (1820-97) MD, FRCP,
FRS, was Medical Officer of Health for Islington 18561871 and a very important contributor to its public health.
No.25 was the home of the Rt. Rev. R. Hamilton Moberly and his wife Rosamund when he was Bishop of Stepney in
1938 and in 1952 became Dean of Salisbury after 16 years work in North and East London.
The five end houses of Compton Terrace, near Highbury Corner (now demolished) were severely damaged on 27th
June 1944 when a V2 fell causing 24 deaths and 116 seriously injured.
COMUS ROAD (1877)
Before then, Milton Grove, dating from c.1869. Named after John Milton’s ‘Comus’. See also WHITTINGTON PARK.
CONCORD BUILDINGS
From 1846-55 between New Norfolk Street and Norfolk Square.
CONEWOOD PLACE
Before 1910 Chapel Place (1845).
Last appears on the October 1937 register of electors.
CONEWOOD STREET
Formerly Park Place, Highbury 1840-88.
On a map of 1828. The site was a field attached to Cream Hall Farm in 1806 and ‘laid open to Mr. Aubert’s freehold’.
In 1887 there was a Conewood Street North incorporating Park Place, St. John’s Terrace, Southill Villas and Towy
Villas. Houses were renumbered.
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL (Highbury Vale) opened in 1836 as Highbury Vale School. Later it became St. John’s C.of E. Junior
Mixed and Infant School. It was rebuilt in 1864 and repaired in 1908. Playgrounds were added in 1934 and 1937. It
was reorganised 1947-51 to be for Junior Mixed and Infants. In 1982 a new Infants Block was added. The Church Hall
was early in 1984 used as a recording studio.
STEPHANIE COURT 1962. The Church of St. John’s, Highbury Park dated from 1881, but closed 1979. See HIGHBURY
PARK.
CONGREVE HOUSE, Matthias Road (1949)
Named after the English dramatist, William Congreve (1670-1729).
CONISTONE WAY, Nailour Street (1975-6)
CONRAD HOUSE, Matthias Road (1968)
Named after Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) novelist.
CONSTABLE HOUSE, Marlborough Road (1965)
Named after John Constable (1776-1813), landscape painter.
CONSTABLE HOUSE, Thorpedale Road (1963)
Renamed ELAINE HOUSE.
CONSTITUTION HILL
In the 1841 Islington Census, but in the Highgate area.
COOMBE HOUSE, Dalmeny Avenue (1948)
COOMBS STREET (1852-3) Originally in Finsbury, before boundary changes.
COOPER HOUSE, Whitecross Street (1982)
COPE HOUSE, Bath Street (1976)
Named after Sir John Cope, a director of the Bank of England in 1695, whose son served after him. The former Bank
of England printing works opened in Old Street in the former St. Luke’s Hospital premises.
COPENHAGEN HOUSE, Charlotte Terrace.
Opened 11 March 1937. Package improvement 1938.
COPENHAGEN STREET (1826-7)
Designated as such by an Order of 1862, abolishing such subsidiary names as Copenhagen Street West, Lower
Copenhagen Street, Upper Copenhagen Street, Denmark Terrace, Great William Street, William Street and Clayton
Place. E.g.: Clayton Place dating from 1844 became 153 and other shops nearby in Copenhagen Street. Nos.1-23
were before 1864/5 10-21 Denmark Terrace, Upper Copenhagen Street (1839).
COPENHAGEN HOUSE on the site of the Clock Tower of the former Caledonian Market (opened 1855) is referred to
as a place of public entertainment as early as 1752, though there may well have been an inn here opened in the
reign of James the First either by a Dane for the entertainment of his fellow countrymen, as there was an influx of
Danes visiting the capital as a result of a visit by the King of Denmark to his brother-in-law (hence the public house,
‘King of Denmark’, Cloudesley Road). It was known as Copenhagen House by 1695. In 1834 the Albion Cricket Club
moved to Copenhagen House.
The fields nearby were known as ‘Copenhagen Fields’ in the 17th Century. In 1373 the site of Copenhagen House was
‘Cutlers’. In 1795 several large meetings were held near Copenhagen House by the London Corresponding Society.
On the 21st of April 1834 a huge meeting of trades unionists with banners met and presented a petition bearing
thousands of signatures to Parliament protesting against the savage sentences passed against the ‘Tolpuddle
Martyrs’ (the Dorchester Labourers). On 25th April 1836 a public dinner was held at the White Conduit House to
celebrate the remission of the sentences and to commemorate the moral power of the 1834 procession. See
BARNSBURY ROAD re White Conduit House.
On the 24th of April 1984 the ‘Tolpuddle Tree’ was planted in Caledonian Park. The sycamore was planted by Ray
Buckton of the NUR in the presence of Norman Willis, Deputy General Secretary to the TUC and Cllr. Pat Haynes,
Mayor. See also TOLPUDDLE STREET.
‘The Independent’ public house, 65 Bingfield Street (opened in 1959 by Cllr W. B. Gough, JP. then mayor), not far
from an older public house of the same name, commemorates a meeting in the Fields in November 1851 at which
Louis Kossuth (1802-1894) addressed a large working-class contingent.
CHURCH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. Started 1913 and opened 1916. A new sacristy was added c.1929. Church
doubled in length 1957; seats about 300.
Frederick Willis, a fighter for compositors and a leading member of the London Society of Compositors lived from
1891-1906 at 109 Copenhagen Street.
COPPICE ROW.
Known in the 17th century as CODPIECE ROW or Town’s End Lane. Here was CLERKENWELL WORKHOUSE enlarged
1790. Demolished 1883.
After 1882 became part of Farringdon Road.
CORBET HOUSE. Charlotte Terrace (1936) Improved by the G LC.
CORBYN STREET (1870-1) On a large scale map of 1871 but not in the census of that year nor in Islington directories
for 1870 or 1874, but in one for 1877.
REYNOLDS HOUSE 1963, STUBBS HOUSE 1964,TURNER HOUSE 1967. All named after famous painters.
CORINNE ROAD (1879)
Named after the once well-known novel of1805, Corinne by Mme de Stael (1766-1817).
CORINTH ROAD
Appears under Goodinge Road in a 1901 directory. Disappeared by 1969-70,
CORKER WALK (1980)
DOCWRA HOUSE 1980, NOLL HOUSE 1979.
CORNELIA STREET
In 1874 it was decided to rename the former Dover Street (1851), Devonshire Street (1835), Castle Street, Grove
Street (1822) and Cornelia Terrace (1829). See also ST. CLEMENT’S PLACE.
A Baptist Mission Room at no.8, Registered 1886, closed by 1896.
CORNWALL COTTAGES, Cornwall Place, Grove Street (1822)
CORNWALL COTTAGES, Popham Street (1883-90)
Designed by a Mr. Worley.
CORNWALL PLACE, Eden Grove (c.1815)
Built by George Pocock. In 1869 subsidiary names were abolished and renumbered, Eden Grove then included
Cornwall Place.
CORNWALL VILLAS (1870-3)
After 1874 46-76 Carleton Road.
CORNWALLIS ROAD
From 1870-1886 ShadwelI Road. Esher Villas and Cornwallis Road.
Built up at various periods, 1863, 1879 and 1885.
Named after Charles, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (1738-1805), British soldier and administrator and negotiator of the 1802 Peace of Amiens.
Here was the City of London Union Workhouse, also called on a 1863/9 map the West London Union Workhouse, bought in 1882 by the Islington Board of Guardians (St. Mary Islington Workhouse). Since World War II the GPO
Telecommunications Workshops and GPO Postal Order Office.
CORPORATION BUILDINGS. Farringdon Road (1863)
By 1977 Guardian House, 119 Farringdon Road, on the site.
Here was born on 5th November 1886 Guy AIdred (1886-1963) who be.g.an his career in 1902 as a ‘Boy Preacher’ in
the Holloway area, became a SDF member and an active speaker, writer and anti-colonialist. He wrote an
autobiography No Traitor’s Gate and also produced a magazine/newspaper The Word.
CORPORATION ROW, Clerkenwell
Originally Cut-Throat Lane, then after 1774 Corporation Lane and Place, Wingrove Place, Gre.g.ory Place and John’s
Place and by c.1877 Corporation Row.
C.1675 was a building, the former Corporation Workhouse. This large building afterwards became the Quakers’ Workhouse and under the same roof the QUAKERS’ SCHOOL (established in 1692). In 1786 a move was made to a larger building in Rawstorne Place, in 1825 to Croydon and later to Saffron Walden.
On December 13th 1893, the then Prince of Wales accompanied by the Duke of York opened the HUGH MYDDELTON
SCHOOL, a guard of honour being formed by the 21st Middx. Volunteers. This was on the site of the Clerkenwell
House of Detention, whose dungeons survived when the school was opened. This House of Detention was built
1845-6 and in 1867 Michael Barrett and others blew up part of the Wall to try to rescue some Fenian prisoners
incarcerated within. The attempt did not rescue the prisoners but killed six people and injured 120. Michael Barrett
was hanged on the 26th May 1868, the last public execution in England. The prison closed in 1886. The Clerkenwell
House of Detention was itself on the site of the New Prison (late 17th century, enlarged 1774 and 1818). Its last
Chaplain was J. W. Horsley, MA, who wrote Jottings from Jail 1887, / Remember. 1911 and How Criminals are Made
and Prevented 1913.
On the site of the House of Prevention was the Mulberry Garden, open from about 1742-52. Admission was free and
included a skittle alley. Concerts and fireworks attracted crowds and the Clerkenwell Volunteers later drilled on the
ground until 1845.
CORPORATION STREET
In the registers of electors as early as 1886. According to the Islington Borough Council minutes 4th April 1913, it was
decided to rename the former Fakenham Street and Fakenham Villas, Bardwell Street. Bardwell was near Bury St.
Edmunds, Suffolk and Fakenham, North Norfolk. However, in 1913 a MBW Order was made for the name
Corporation Street.
CORRALL ROAD
Before 1938 CHARLES STREET, Holloway. On a map of 1890-4. See also HAGBUSH LANE.
Named after William Corrall, a man whose temporary dwelling in the former Hagbush Lane was overthrown by the
ground landlords. The case achieved popular fame and was publicised by the writer William Hone. The road was
there up to 1973.
CORSICA STREET
Former Highbury Mews. First in an 1896 Directory.
In 1892 this street was ordered to include Highbury Mews (on maps of 1828, 1854 and 1871), part of Calabria Road
and Terrace (c. 1890), Stanley Villas and Gallia Terrace.
Like Liberia and Calabria roads, this name may have been chosen because of its connection with the Roman Empire.
A former horse-tram depot (North Metropolitan Tramway Co.) was on the corner of St. Paul’s Road. Next door was
the St. Mary Islington Relief Station & Dispensary, Highbury Mews.
COSTERS’ BUILDINGS, Dufferin Street
(LCC), (1890) Until about 1946.
COTMAN HOUSE, Hanley Road (1964)
Named after John Sell Cotman (1782-1842), landscape artist and celebrated water-colourist of the ‘Norwich School’.
COTSWOLD COURT, Gee Street (1953)
COTTAGE PLACE, City Road
Name abolished 1859.
COTTAGES, The, Charterhouse Square
First in the 1973 register of electors.
COTTENHAM HOUSE, Bavaria Road (1956)
COTTENHAM ROAD (1851)
By 1938 incorporated in Sussex Way.
Most probably named after Sir Charles Christopher Pepys (1781-1851), the 1st Earl of Cottenham who was Lord
Chancellor, 1836-41 and 1846-50. Re-numbered 1913 and in the same year the name Cottenham Terrace abolished.
Cottenham Road School (School Board for London), opened in 1873; re-organised 1931. Re-named Hanley School
1938. Reopened c. 1945 as Hanley Secondary Girls’ and Infants, closed 1957.
COURTAULD ROAD (1981)
Part of Elthorne Road, including the ‘Birkbeck Tavern’. The ‘Birkbeck Tavern’ was originally called in 1866 the
‘Birkbeck Arms’.
George Courtauld, silk weaver of Spitalfields and of Braintree, Essex, had several apprentices c. 1814-15 from the
workhouse of the Parish of St. Mary Islington. See the Register of Parish Poor Apprenticed Out for that period at the
Central library.
COURTNEY COURT, Courtney Road (1953) COURTNEY ROAD
Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 7 only in the 1870 directory.
COURTYARD, The, Barnsbury Terrace (1974)
COWCROSS STREET
In 1925, Charles Street, Finsbury. Incorporated with and re-named and numbered Cowcross Street after then.
Along the route for cattle to be driven to West Smithfield. Stow’s Survey of London (1598) says that the street had at
some time a medieval cross at the junction with St. John Street and refers to it as ‘a lane called Cow Cross’.
Underneath the street is alleged to have been Fag’s Well.
The ‘Castle Tavern’ has a publican’s and pawnbroker’s licence. George IV had been to a cock fight at Hockley-in-theHole
(see RAY STREET), and applied to the tavern keeper for a loan on the security of his watch and chain. A few days
later the king invested him with the right of pledges.
J. Macdonald from 41 Cowcross Street operated as the Secretary to the London Trades Council in 1912; also from the
same address then J. W. Clark was Secretary to the Scientific Instrument Makers Trades Society.
In 1983 the then GLC were given planning permission for a £500,000 Lesbian and Gay Centre located in a former four
storey warehouse near Smithfield Market.
COWDENBEATH PATH (1978)
Cowdenbeath is a mining town in Fifeshire, north east of Dunfermline,
COWHEEL ALLEY, Whitecross Street.
There from 1743 to the 1850s.
COWPER STREET, City Road (1833)
The Central Foundation School was opened in 1869 by the Corporation for Middle Class Education in the Metropolis
and the Suburbs Thereof and was then intended for the children of ‘clerks and other persons’.
CRAIGLAND MANSIONS, Hanley Road (1918-19)
On the 1919 register of electors.
CRANE GROVE (1853-4)
In 1869 all subsidiary names were abolished, including Carlton Terrace and Villas and Crane Grove Terrace.
Thomas Crane, citizen and turner of London, died in 1763 aged 70. Edward Crane who died in 1746 had an altar
tomb in the parish church of St. Mary, Upper Street and other members of the Crane family. James Crane in 1786
bequeathed £5 per annum for ever to the St. Mary Islington parish schools and in 1765 was a churchwarden. This
may well be its origin.
CRANWORTH HOUSE, Holloway Road (1937)
Re-habilitated, 1976.
Cranworth is near East Dereham, Norfolk.
CRAWFORD PASSAGE, EC1
Before 1905 Crawford Place and Bath Row.
In the 1796 rate book as Crawford Passage. Before 1774 PICKLED E.G.G WALK (for detail, q.v.)
CRAYFORD ROAD
Commenced 1876, completed by 1880. ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH (Architect: George Truefitt) 1867-8. Had one of the
first electric organs in the country. 1949 new windows by Vernon Spreadbury put in the apse. Church disused by July,
1964. See also under Tufnell Park Road.
The new St. George’s Church, architect: Clive Alexander, opened on St. George’s Day, 1975. Capacity: 400.
The old Crayford Road church was modelled on that of the Knights of St. John at Acre and, because of its shape, was
judged suitable for ‘theatre in the round’ or the presentation of 16th and 17th century drama, particularly
Shakespearean. Since 1970 is well-known, particularly for the latter, as ST. GEORGE’S THEATRE under the
directorship of George Murcell, himself an actor.
CRAYLE HOUSE (LCC) Malta Street (1960)
CRESCENT AVENUE, near Alpha Place,
King’s Cross (1847-1935)
Last in the West register of electors, 1934/5,
CRESCENT HOUSE, Golden Lane (1963)
CRESCENT MANSIONS, Ronalds Road
First in the 1930-1 register of electors, alongside of Highbury Crescent Rooms (1929).
CRESCENT ROAD (1840-1)
From 1850-2, former name of Canonbury Park South. Included Priory Villas, under ‘CANONBURY PARK’. Same
houses shown in 1849, but only shown as Crescent Road in 1850.
CRESCENT ROW, Goswell Road
Before 1912 Middle Row, or earlier still, Rotten Row which latter was there in 1728,
CRESCENT STREET, Offord Road (1853)
CRESSIDA ROAD (1891)
Probably after Shakespeare’s ‘Troilus & Cressida’,
CRISPE HOUSE, Carne.g.ie Street (1952)
See page 249 of S. Lewis, Jr. The History . .. of Islington (1842).
CROFT, The,
Hornsey Rise Gardens (1975)
CROFT,
The, Wall Street (1967)
CROMARTIE ROAD (1878)
Built up 1892-3. At no. 6 in 1971 was set up a Centre for persistent truants from the Archway and Tollington schools.
CROMWELL ROAD (c. 1860)
Since 1938 IRETON ROAD.
CROSS STREET and Willow Row
After 1895 LUDLOW STREET (partly closed 1937).
CROSS STREET, Lever Street
After 1886, part MURTON STREET.
CROSS STREET, Finsbury (1837)
After 1904 GARD STREET.
CROSS STREET, Finsbury Pavement (1827)
After 1936 LACKINGTON STREET.
CROSS STREET, Upper Street, Islington
On a map of 1735. Re-numbered in 1862.
One house, no. 61, was before 1862 no. 27, the residence from 1770-1782 of William Hyde, a Justice of the Peace.
On June the 8th, 1780, at the time of the Gordon Riots, a mob attacked the house and some of the Justice’s furniture
was burnt in the street.
From 1877-1885 Henry Bilby, Parish Clerk, lived there.
In 1850 was pulled down FOWLER HOUSE, nos. 4042 Cross Street, on the site of Cross Street Baptist Church (no. 41
Cross Street as it was prior to 1850). This was the mansion house of the Fowler family, lords of the Manor of
Barnsbury. This family, during the reigns of Elizabeth 1 and James 1 was of considerable importance and Sir Thomas
Fowler who died in 1556 and married Alice Heron or Heme of Islington, was one of the Deputy Lieutenants for the
County of Middlesex. At the end of the garden was a building known locally as ‘Sir Thomas Fowler’s Lodge’ or ‘Queen
Elizabeth’s Lodge’ since the monarch may well have visited Sir Thomas. This building bore his initials and the date
1655. This garden was on the site of HAWES STREET.
See also RUFFORDS BUILDINGS.
Cross Street Baptist Church opened in June 1852 and was bombed in 1940. In 1957 a new church was opened in
place of the partly demolished Victorian one, flanked by a manse and a fellowship room.
In Cross Street, at an advanced age, died Mrs. Hester Milner, in whose seminary no less than Oliver Goldsmith was
for a time an assistant. She also composed poems on ‘tender and ele.g.iac subjects’.
Another poetess was Mrs. Agnes Flowerdew, of the nearby The Terrace, Upper Street’ who kept a boarding school
and published in 1803 Poems on Moral & Religious Subjects which reached its second edition in 1811.
THE OLD PARR’S HEAD, known in the 18th century as The Par’s Head’ was there as early as 1754. I n a large room on
the first floor JOHN HENDERSON, the subsequently famous actor, recited Garrick’s ‘Ode to Shakespeare’ and gave a
brilliant imitation of the great actor David Garrick himself.
Thomas Parr was said to have lived through the reigns of ten sovereigns and to have done penance for incontinence
at the age of 105. According to le.g.end, he married a second wife when aged 122 and had a child by her. He died in
1635 and is buried in the south transept of Westminster Abbey. Doubts have been thrown upon his alleged
longevity. He has no known Islington connection.
The picturesque hardware shop, Wick’s Stores, 62 Cross Street, is owned by Arthur E. Wicks, last Chairman of the old
LCC in 1963-4 and for many years a representative on the GLC for Islington South & Finsbury and Chairman of the
GLC, 1973. The shop has been drawn and/or painted by several artists, including G. S. Fletc.her and Ann Usborne.
BELMONT (site of 1-5 Cross Street) dates from 1962, CARLETON HOUSE (also shown as Carlton House) 1893,
DEVONSHIRE HOUSE 1897.
CROSSLEY STREET (1875-6) First appears in the 1878 Islington Directory.
A Sir Savile Brinton Crossley, KCVO, was prospective Conservative MP for West Islington in 1910 and also Hon. Sec. to
the King Edward’s Hospital Fund.
CROUCH END CRESCENT (1886) Changed 1886/7 to HORNSEY RISE GARDENS.
Crouch End Station (Great Northern Railway), opened 22 August 1867, closed 1954.
CROUCH HALL COURT, Sparsholt Road (1949)
CROUCH HILL, N4 and N8
Of ancient origin ‘Cruche’, ‘Crouche’ or ‘Cruc’ = a cross. In 1400 there are references to a Geoffrey atte Crouche of
Harengey and in 1466 Crouch End. The Cross stood a little below old Crouch Hill and was a resting place for pilgrims,
if they were travelling to the shrine of Our Lady of MuswelI, before they ascended the hill.
Before 1893 there was different naming and numbering, e.g. no. 74 was c. 1891 no. 7 The Bank, Crouch Hill.
THE HIGHLANDS, 1934, rebuilt 1984. See also the information re William Grinling 1868-90 accountant to the Great
Northern Railway, under HIGHLANDS.
THE HIGHLANDS occupied June, 1985, BARNFIELD CLOSE built 1983/5, both designed by David Ford Associates, built
by D. J. Higgins.
ALBERT MANSIONS 1903, BERRY LODGE 1954, BRAMBLEDOWN 1904, re-habilitated 1980, COLEMAN MANSIONS
1937, re-habilitated 1980, HAMBLEDOWN CHASE 1964, HIGHVIEW 1967, ILEX HOUSE 1971, LOCHBIE 1930 rehabilitated
1980, PAMLION COURT 1967.
CROUCH HILL STATION (St. Pancras – Barking) opened 21st July 1868.
CROWFIELD HOUSE, Highbury New Park (1974)
CROWLAND TERRACE, Northchurch Road (1865-6)
First appears in the 1866 directory as 1 -8 Crowland Terrace, Church Road. Crowland is a market town of Holland,
Lincolnshire, also a locality in West Suffolk.
CROWLINE WALK (1975-7)
CROWN BUILDINGS, Upper Holloway
In 1852-5 rate books as being near Alfred Terrace (later 632,634 and 648 Holloway Road). Included THE CROWN Inn,
well- known in the coaching era. There is a tradition that Oliver Cromwell stayed in an old house on its site.
CROWN COTTAGE
On the 1851 Census. Became no. 1 Hornsey Lane.
CROWN COTTAGES, Upper Holloway (1845)
Then owned by R. Enkel, a nurseryman of Dutch origin. See ENKEL STREET.
CROWN COURT
Was there in 1890. Since 1936 Milton Court, Moor Lane.
CROWN COURT (1819)
Re-named 99 Charterhouse Street, 1936.
CROWN MANSIONS. Liverpool Road (1908)
Until 1977.
CROWN STREET
There in 1799. See SUN STREET, Finsbury Square.
CROZIER COURT
Before 1936 MITRE COURT, St. John Street (on 1871 Census). Gone by 1974.
CRUDEN STREET
Before 1911. St. John Street, River Lane, dating from 1848.
Named after Alexander Cruden (1699-1770). A commemorative plaque to Alexander Cruden is located at 45 Camden
Passage. See CAMDEN PASSAGE
CRUIKSHANK STREET. WC1 (1845)
Before 1938 BOND STREET,
Named after George Cruikshank (17921878), artist, caricaturist and engraver who lived from 182349 first in
Myddelton Terrace, later Amwell Street, A plaque at 69/71 Amwell Street commemorates this famous artist and
illustrator.
AMWELL HOUSE 1958, BEVIN COURT 1954, HOLFQRD HOUSE 1954.
CUBA TERRACE
In the 1874 directory. By 1875 re-numbered Hargrave Park Road.
CULLUM WELCH HOUSE, Golden Lane (1963)
Named after Colonel Sir George James Cullum Welch, OBE, MC (1895-1980) Alderman for the City of London Ward of
Bridge Within, 1947-70, Lord Mayor of London, 1956/7.
CULPEPER STREET
Before 1938, Albert Street (1853)
Nicholas Culpeper’s work was published by George Sawbridge of Clerkenwell Green in 1670. Culpeper’s work on
herbal remedies are still celebrated and used. Part since 1986 named TOLPUDDLE STREET. For explanation see
COPENHAGEN STREET.
CUMBERLAND GARDENS, WC1
Designed by John Booth and his son, John.
Before 1939, CUMBER LAND TERRACE 1828-9, 1832-3 and 1843-4. See LLOYD BAKER. C. 1823 Cumberland Gardens,
Vauxhall, were noted tea gardens and well-patronised.
CUMBERLAND HOUSE, Highbury Crescent (1905)
CUMBERLAND ROW (1766)
By 1978 part of CAMDEN PASSAGE, formerly the residence of J. Nelson, historian of Islington.
CUMBERLAND STREET (c. 1869/70) After 1937 PONDER STREET.
CUMBERLAND TERRACE
See CUMBERLAND GARDENS.
CUMMING PLACE (c. 1792) After 1859 part of Old Street.
CUMMING PLACE, Pentonville (-1857)
Part originally Cumming Street North before 1891.
CUMMING STREET (1788-92)
Named after the brothers John and Alexander Cumming, principal building contractors to the Penton Estate of 1790.
Before 1806 John Cumming built ‘Cumming House’, but by 1807 it had become the London Female Penitentiary,
enlarged by an east wing in 1811. Moved in 1884 to 191 High Street, Stoke Newington. Ceased c. 1915.
Mary Wollstonecraft lived in Cumming Street before her marriage to William Godwin.
J. W. Ash, landscape artist, lived at no. 8 from 1830-1833.
CUPID’S ALLEY
Later Golden Lane, also Court. There in 1723. On 1871 Census.
CURRAN HOUSE, Brecknock Road.
On 1945 register of electors. The Brecknock Estate was completed in 1939.
CURRIER’S LANE
By 1805 GREENMAN’S LANE.
CUTBUSH HOUSE, Brecknock Road (sheltered housing) (1973)
CUTLERS TERRACE, nos. 1-12 (1839) Cutler’s Company almshouses built on the east side of the Metropolitan Benefit
Society’s Asylum, Balls Pond Road, see BALLS POND ROAD. As uninhabitable by about 1964 these pensioners’ houses
were disposed of by the Cutlers’ Co.
CYNTHIA HOUSE, Aberdeen Park (1953)
Named after Lady Cynthia Colville, see NEWCOMBE HOUSE.
CYNTHIA STREET, Pentonville Road
Before 1890, ANN STREET (1787).
CYRUS HOUSE, Cyrus Street. EC1 (1934)
CYRUS STREET
Before 1880 KING STREET (1840). THE TRIANGLE 1973/6.
D
DAGMAR COTTAGE, Dagmar Terrace (1872-3)
DAGMAR PASSAGE
Before 1938 Church Passage, Cross Street.
DAGMAR TERRACE (1869-70)
Probably refers to HRH Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar (Duchess of Fife) as most probably does Fife Terrace. She
was the eldest daughter of Edward VII and in 1889 married the 6th Earl of Fife. She was born in 1867 and died in
1931.
No. 14 Dagmar Passage contains the internationally well-known LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE, founded by John Wright of
‘Wright’s Marionettes’. These puppets are now world-famous.
On 9 September 1940 the former Henry Ansell Temperance Lodge and Good Temperance Hall was severely bomb
damaged. This hall was named after a once celebrated temperance advocate, an Essex Road haberdasher, Henry
Ansell. During 1960-1 the building was taken over by John Wright.
DALBY TERRACE, City Road
Built about 1803 on a site used for prize fights and some executions. By 1860 nos. 338-398 CITY ROAD. Named after
a Mr. Dalby ‘who realised considerably property by the invention of publicans’ beer machines.’
DALLINGTON STREET, EC1.
Before 1937, Allen Street, there in the 1720s. In 1624 the Rev. Sir Robert Dallington, Master of Sutton’s
Charterhouse, 1624-7, caused the pipes from the White Conduit to be cleansed. Re-numbered in 1905. See also ST.
PAUL’S BUILDINGS.
DALMENY AVENUE
Before 1894 ST. BARTHOLOMEW ROAD (1863)
Named after Archibald John Primrose, 4th Earl of Rosebery (1788-1868). Lady Anne Primrose, his eldest daughter,
married on 30 May 1848 Henry Tufnell, MP. The Earl was LORD DALMENY and she was his third wife. He lived from
1805-54; she died in 1862. Dalmeny Park, West Lothian, is the seat of the Earl of Rosebery.
Francis Black, RBA.ARCA, who died in 1939, was a well-known marine painter and principal of the LCC Camden
School of Art and Craft, 1882-1915. He lived in Dalmeny Avenue from 1891 -8 and from 1911-14 at 56 Anson Road.
His daughter married the composer, Eric Coates.
BRAMBER HOUSE 1968, BUCKHURST and COOMBE HOUSES 1948, KIMBLE HOUSE 1968 nos. 6-122 (flats) date from
1957 (Hilldrop Estate).
ADA LEWIS HOUSE, a hostel (see under Ada Lewis House) c. 1945.
DALMENY HOUSE, Anson Road (1902)
DALMENY MANSIONS, Camden Road There in 1945.
DALMENY ROAD
In the 1882 directory. Nos. 2, 4, 6 & 8 and nos. 1, 3, 5 & 9.
Not in 1878 or previous directories, yet on 1871 large scale O.S. map.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH (architect: J. E. K. Cutts) 1884/5. Bombed 1941 and 1944, restored by A. Llewellyn Smith, rededicated,
1953.
See under TUFNELL PARK ROAD for Tufnell Park Primary School.
DAME STREET (1857-9) The 1857 Vestry Minutes refer to a road and footpath being taken under the jurisdiction of
the Vestry and a new lamp being put in. After 1870 formed part of St. Peter’s Street, but Dame Street, with Adelaide
Terrace, continued until 1970.
Named after Dame Anne Packington (see Packington Square and Street). The Dame Street housing scheme dates
from 1954.
DANBURY STREET
Before 1890-1, Essex Street (St. Peter’s Street) dating from 1841-4. Danbury, Essex, was in the 15th century granted,
with other lands, to the Marquess of Northampton, from whom they passed to the Mildmay family.
DAREN COURT, Carleton Road (1973)
DARTMOUTH PARK HILL
Boundary road, mostly in Kentish Town, Camden.
This estate has connections with the Nicoll family from c. 1650. Francis Nicoll married William Le.g.ge, 2nd Earl of
Dartmouth in 1755.
It had a number of subsidiary names in the period before 1922 such as Mount Edgecombe and Chepstow Villas, York
Terrace, Brookfield Terrace, Park Villas, Maiden Terrace, Picton Villas, Dartmouth
Crescent, Dartmouth and Gladstone Villas. Many of these were in St. Pancras, now Camden.
The WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL (Highgate wing), Dartmouth Park Hill, was founded in 1867 as the North St. Pancras
Institution. In 1 870 the Central London Sick Asylum Board took over as an infirmary for Westminster, Holborn and
St. Pancras. The building was opened in 1870. Its architects were Giles & Bevan.
Edith Cavell (1865-1915) was Night Superintendent 1901-3 and was shot at dawn by the Germans in 1915. Her
phrase ‘Patriotism is not enough’ is still remembered.
Florence Nightingale was responsible for the appointment of Mabel Torrance as the first Matron and 12 nurses.
ST. PETER’S, Dartmouth Park Hill (architect: Charles Lock Luck) dates from 1880. It was bomb-damaged in 1940, but
has been rebuilt with a south vestry added in 1955.
CARLISLE, LINCOLN and SUFFOLK HOUSES date from 1899-1900.
DARTWARD COURT, Bickerton Road (1983-4)
DATCHWORTH HOUSE, Sutton Estate, Upper Street (1970)
Datchworth is in Hertfordshire.
DAVENANT ROAD (1871)
Named after Sir William Davenant (1606-1668), poet and dramatist. In some of his poems he describes Islington and
Finsbury. His plays were produced at the mansion, Newcastle House, See CHARTERHOUSE SQUARE.
DAVEY CLOSE, Cornelia Street (1972)
DAVIDSON HOUSE, Warrender Road (19671
DAVIS LODGE, 3-4 Haverstock Street (1960)
DAVOCH LODGE, Liverpool Road (1961)
DAWLISH HOUSE, Pleasant Place (1902)
DEAN STREET, Finsbury Square (1790-3) After 1869 SUN STREET.
DEAN STREET, Tibberton Square (1853) After 1938 BISHOP STREET.
DEAN’S COTTAGES, Hornsey Road
First in the 1874 directory, as so named. Susannah Dean is named, as, presumably, the owner.
DEAN’S COURT, Hatfield Street (1821-c. 1925)
DE BEAUVOIR COURT, Northchurch Road (1938)
DE BEAUVOIR ROAD
Originated in the 1820s, but a law suit developed as to who owned the land and most of the houses date from the
1830-50 period. In Hackney, hence the name De Beauvoir Town. Named after a Richard De Beauvoir from Guernsey
who came over to England in 1680 and died in 1708. He was Lord Mayor in 1631 and bought Balmes House, Hoxton
from Sir George Whitmore. Hence Balmes Road, Hackney and De Beauvoir Town.
DELAFIELD, Biggerstaff Street (1967)
DE LA SALLE HOUSE, Hornsey Lane (1978)
DEEPDALE, Monsell Road (1963)
DELHI STREET (1871)
For former Board School, see YORK WAY and TREATY STREET.
DENGIE WALK (1977)
DENHAM LODGE, Britannia Row (1963)
DENMARK GROVE
Before 1848 White Conduit Grove (1830),
DENMARK ROAD
1851-1893 as Albert Terrace/1894-1937 Denmark Road, 1938-1969 Dewey Road. Ceased in 1969.
DENMARK STREET (1840)
By 1938 DIGNUM STREET.
Built by William Dennis and George Price,
also Denmark Terrace. There until 1972,
when only two houses left.
DENMARK TERRACE, Upper Copenhagen Street (1839)
After 1863 nos. 1-23 Copenhagen Street. The South Islington & British Schools were erected 1841, building later
used by cardboard box manufacturers.
DENMARK TERRACE, Holloway Road (1863)
DENMARK TERRACE, Blenheim Road (1866)
Now BAVARIA ROAD.
For the Danish connection with Upper Copenhagen Street see COPENHAGEN STREET.
DENNIS STREET (off Copenhagen Street) (1847)
Before 1894 SIDNEY STREET.
York Way Court by 1948 is on the site.
DENTON HOUSE, Richmond Grove (1938)
DESPARD ROAD (1887)
John Despard (1745-1829), brother of Edward Marcus Despard, fought in the Seven Years War and in the American
War of Independence. He was Commandant of Troops at Cape Breton 1799-1807 and a General in 1814.
CALVERT COURT 1965. Sir Harry Calbert served in America, see CALVERT COURT.
See also HIGHGATE HILL.
DEVIL’S LANE
See DUVAL’S LANE.
DEVON HOUSE. 40-42 Upper Street (1937) Named as such 1939.
DEVONIA ROAD (1853)
Before 1938 DEVONSHIRE STREET, St.
Peter’s Street
ST. PETER’S CHURCH was built 1834-5 after the designs of Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860), architect of the House of
Commons. In 1851 it seated 1500. The north west spire, with flying buttresses and east east-west porch were added
in 1843 by Messrs. Gough & Roumieu. In 1982 the church was declared redundant.
The Polish Church of OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA and ST. CASIMIR was from 1863-1905 New Church College and
Chapel (Swedenborgian). See PARKHURST ROAD.
DEVONSHIRE COTTAGES, Stroud Vale (1848)
DEVONSHIRE HOUSE, Cross Street (1897)
DEVONSHIRE PLACE, Green Lanes (c. 1836-40)
Later 21 Green Lanes, then by c. 1920 no. 55.
DEVONSHIRE PLACE, Devonshire Street (St. Peter’s Street) (1852)
DEVONSHIRE ROAD, (1855-9) Since 1938 AXMINSTER ROAD.
Manor Road, now Manor Gardens, cut through to Devonshire Road in 1898 with the loss of nos. 42-44.
Thomas James Wise (1859-1937), bibliophile, bibliographer, Hon. Sec. of the Shelley Society, book-collector and
forger lived at 127 Devonshire Road from 1866-1878 and 1884-1890.
DEVONSHIRE STREET, St. Peter’s Street (1853)
After 1938 DEVONIA ROAD. See also ST. PETER’S TERRACE (1847).
DEVONSHIRE STREET, Barnsbury (1835) Later incorporated in Cornelia Street.
DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, Thornhill Road (1842)
By 1870 27-35 Thornhill Road.
DEWEY ROAD
Finished as a road in 1969.
C. 1894-1937 Denmark Road, 1851-1894 Albert Terrace.
Named after William Francis Dewey, Chief Clerk to the Islington Vestry and Town Clerk, 1869-1914.
DIBDEN STREET
Before 1890 Hayes Place (1847) and Paradise Place and Victoria Place (1840).
In 1843 Angler’s Gardens were on the site from at least 1810. Re-numbered in 1928.
Named after Dibden, Hants. See PEABODY for PEABODY BUILDINGS.
DICKENSON ROAD (1887) Partly Haringey.
Named after John Dockry Dickenson who in 1848 owned land later occupied by ‘The Highlands’, Crouch Hill (1934).
Hill Lodge is the name given in 1976 to the flats at no. 8.
Crouch Hill House was there in 1895. From at least c. 1919 St. Gilda’s Convent High School for Girls.
DIDBIN HOUSE, Mingard Walk (1977)
DIDDINGTON PLACE. Caledonian Road (1833)
George Thornhill died at Diddington, 19 May 1852.
DIGNUM STREET, Cloudesley Road Before 1938 Denmark Street (1840).
Ceased in 1972 when only nos. 4 and 17 remained.
Named after Charles Dignum, a popular singer and the father of Mrs. Horsley, see CANONBURY LANE.
DIGSWELL STREET
From 1905-6 ALLEN STREET.
Named changed in 1906, after Digswell, Hertfordshire.
DINGLEY PLACE. Finsbury (1832)
Before 1911 .George’s Row.
Commemorates Charles J. Dingley, projector of the City Road c. 1756.
DINGLEY ROAD
Originally Harcourt Place, 1876. Renumbered 1880 and by 1881 York Road and by 1910 Dingley Road.
DIXON-CLARK COURT, Canonbury Road (1966)
Named after Harold Dixon-Clark, Town Clerk of Islington from 1947 until March 1965 who died in 1976.
DOBNEY COURT, Penton Grove
Was there in 1881. Abandoned 1912.
DOCURA HOUSE, Alsen Road (Corker Walk, Andover Estate) (1980)
DOCWRA’S BUILDINGS, King Henry’s Walk (c. 1870)
Named after Thomas Docwra & Son, well-borers, 1 King Henry’s Walk, Balls Pond, as they were described in the 1870
Islington directory. After 1877 they are described as general contractors and remained there until 1921. They were
contractors for the opening of Canada Dock, Surrey Commercial Docks, 1876, and were a well-known firm.
Sir Thomas Docwra, who died in 1527, a Prior of the Knights of St. John, in 1504 built St. John’s Gate in place of the
earlier gatehouse.
DOLPHIN COURT, Carleton Road (1963)
DOMINGO STREET. EC1 (1809) Named after San Domingo, a source of mahogany and like Baltic Street, Timber
Street, etc.. evoking memories of the timber trade.
DOMINION STREET
Before 1939 South Street and South Place, both there in 1799.
DONE.G.AL ROW
Before 1936, Prospect Row.
DONE.G.AL STREET
Formerly Henry Street. There in 1778. Named after Henry Penton and built on the Great Grace Field of the Penton
Estate.
PENTON HOUSE 1965, PROSPECT HOUSE 1965, RODNEY HOUSE 1964.
On 15 December 1984 a plaque was unveiled by A. J. P. Taylor, the eminent historian, to James Bronterre O’Brien
(18051864), Irish democrat and Chartist who from 1863 lived in Hermes Street in a house on the site of the Elizabeth
Garrett Anderson School.
DORINDA LODGE, Lough Road Home for the retired.
Officially opened June 1867 by Sir Eric Fletc.her, MP for East Islington.
DORINDA STREET
Before 1882 Dorset Street, Dorset Place, Liverpool Cottages (1845), Cardigan and
Barton Villas (1859). Dorset Place was from the 1870-1 period.
DORRINGTON STREET (1720)
Built by Thomas Dorrington, citizen and bricklayer of London.
Since 1875 MOUNT PLEASANT.
DORSET PLACE (1870-1)
After 1878 part of Dorinda Street.
Thomas Topham (1710-49), Islington strong man, lived there for a time, see Bath Street, etc..
DORSET PLACE (1852)
By 1871 284-290 Holloway Road.
DORSET PLACE, Bride Street (1826)
Shown as being there up to c. 1855-61.
DORSET STREET, Essex Road (1825)
Re-named after a suggestion in 1935 by Islington Borough Council that it should re-named DOVE ROAD after the firm
of builders, see CLOUDESLEY PLACE. Dorset Street was by Philip Dorset Goepel.
DOUGLAS PLACE, Northampton Road (c. 1855)
After 1936 PICKBURN PLACE.
There till about the 1958/60 period.
DOUGLAS ROAD. Canonbury (1850)
DOUGLAS ROAD NORTH (c. 1864-5)
After 1882 WALLACE ROAD.
DOURO TERRACE, Highbury Park
Although so captioned in an 1840 water- colour perspective by George Tattersall no Islington terrace of such a name
appears in Islington, London, ratebooks.
DOVE ROAD
Formerly DORSET STREET (q.v.) QUEEN ELIZABETH COURT 1983.
DOVEY LODGE, Bewdley Street (1961)
DOWNHAM COURT, Downham Road (1956)
DOWNHAM ROAD (1844) Named after the residence of the Rev. Peter De Beauvoir of Downhall Hall of the Balmes
Estate, Hackney.
The former Brotherhood Church was originally Southgate Road Chapel, De Beauvoir Town (architect: J. Tarring)
1862, which up to 1935 was at the corner of Balmes Road. This was where the Fifth Congress of Russian Social
Democratic Party took place, attended by 336 dele.g.ates. These included V. I. Lenin. Josef Stalin, L. Trotsky, Y. O.
Martov, Rosa Luxembourg and Maxim Gorki!
The Minister from 1902-7 was the Rev. A. Baker who was sympathetic to the pacifist movement. ‘Texryte House’,
commercial premises, were built on the site.
See also under SOUTHGATE ROAD. The Trafalgar Tavern was there in 1852. DOWNHAM COURT 1956, SOUTHGATE
COURT 1957,THE RIDGE 1967.
DOWNING TERRACE, Compton Road (1850)
Until 1868, after then 24-39 Compton Road.
DOWNING VILLAS, Compton Road
By 1866 nos. 1-2 Compton Road and after 1868 nos. 22-23,
DOWREY STREET, Richmond Avenue (1907)
A new street in 1907 named after Thomas Dowrey (Docwra), Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England
and mentioned in the 1517 Will of Richard Cloudesley see DOCWRA’S BUILDINGS.
Samuel Rhodes School opened 1972 as an all-age school for the ESN. New building on the site of the former
Cloudesley School opened in 1909 for the mentally handicapped.
DRAKELEY COURT, Highbury Hill (1968)
Named after T. J. Drakeley, CBE, D.Sc., Ph.D., FRIC, FIR I, a former Principal of the Northern Polytechnic and of the
National College of Rubber Technology.
DRAYTON PARK
Formerly Highbury Hill Park 1841-2. Built up more, 1855-65.
Re-named and numbered in 1874 and 1875. Before then included Morland Terrace (1844) and Flower’s Buildings
(1841) Drayton Park is shown as Drayton Park on a large scale OS map of 1871.
DRAYTON PARK STATION (Great Northern & City Line) c. 1870-2.
Drayton Park Primary School opened 1860 as Highbury Wesleyan School for Boys and Girls. New building 1866 and
again in 1966. Nursery 1980. The Central Methodist Hall, Drayton Park was erected 1929-30. Lord Soper was
Minister as the Rev. Donald Soper from 1930-1936. Closed in 1953. Put to commercial use, 1953-1978.
The Old Roman Catholic Church in England opened a chapel c. 1974 at no. 23 Drayton Park.
DRESDEN ROAD (1884-5)
Nos. 1 -9 Moore Terrace in 1886 were by 1887 49-65 Dresden Road, East Terrace was by 1887 67-87 Dresden Road.
DRIVE, The, Pentonville Prison (1959)
First so designated.
DRUMMER LODGE, Kinloch Street (1961)
Site of nos. 1-20 Dillon Place.
DUDDY’S RENTS, Lower Road (1817)
(Also written buddies Rents)
Between Lower Terrace and Fletc.her’s Place.
Hannah Duddy, wife of Thomas Duddy, died aged 66,24 June 1805. See also ROSS PLACE; .
DUERDIN VILLAS
By 1874 nos. 46-56 Tollington Park (q.v.)
DUFFERIN COURT; Dufferin Street (1.970)
Formerly DUFFERIN BUILDINGS 1948.
DUFFERIN STREET
Before 1883 part was called Twister’s Alley, there in 1738.
Probably named after a trustee of the Peabody Donation Fund.
PEABODY BUILDINGS, Whitecross Street 1882. Peabody Donation Fund Dwellings (Costers Dwellings).
DUGDALE HOUSE, Hilldrop Road (1951)
DUNCAN MEWS, Duncan Street Appears 1846-54 in the rate books under Duncan Street.
DUNCAN PLACE, City Road (1798-9) 1825-1854 and up to 1855 appears in directories as Upper and Lower Duncan
Place, City Road.
The public house, since 1984 the ‘Blue Angel’, was the ‘Blue Coat Boy’, there 1833.
DUNCAN STREET (1834-6)
Contained the Catholic Apostolic or Irvingite Church, opened 16 November 1834. Modernised in 1858 by George
Truefitt, the Church and River House were the subject of a compulsory purchase order in 1963 for housing purposes
as by 1962 it had become virtually disused. EDWARD IRVING (1792-1834) preached at Islington Green and raised
£2000 towards its building. He lived in Myddelton Terrace and once fell in love with Jane Welsh, afterwards the wife
of Thomas Carlyle. His fiery sermons once drew huge audiences and his devotees and ministers were called ‘angels’.
St. John the Evangelist RC Primary School built 1839, boys on the ground floor, girls on the first floor, with a teacher’s
house. Re-organised 1947-51 as a voluntary aided RC primary for Junior Mixed and Infants.
South Islington Proprietary School 183646 stood on the north east corner.
See also DUNCAN TERRACE re Clerkenwell County Court.
Submitted by a contributor (2017): Six houses stood in Duncan Street opposite the Irvingite Church and St. John’s
School. No. 1 was at the Islington High Street end of the road. Behind it was Suttons, a removal firm, later taken over
by Pickfords. Behind No. 6 Duncan Street was garaging for the vans of Dring’s, a meat distributors. The address had
no garden, as Dring’s workshop to maintain the vans was immediately behind the house. It was possible to sit on the
roof of this workshop. An entrance to an office was on the far side. Dring was taken over by Walls and moved to
Wembley circa 1949. During the war a tunnel could be found behind no.6 and used as an air-raid shelter; it’s pre-war
origins are unknown.
DUNCAN TERRACE, Commenced 1791
Named after Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown (1731-1804), Admiral. Victor over the Dutch.
By an Order of the Vestry of 1890-1 former subsidiary names were abolished in Duncan Terrace. These included
Colebrooke Terrace (1806-10), New Terrace (1791), Camden Terrace (1844). New Terrace was afterwards called ‘The
Terrace’ or ‘Terrace’.
Nos. 2-9 New Terrace, Colebrooke Row by 1892 had become 51-60 Duncan Terrace. Camden Terrace became 61-64
Duncan Terrace.
No. 64 Duncan Terrace, as recorded by a plaque, was the home of Charles and Mary Lamb from 1823-1827 and at
that time was known as ‘Colebrooke Cottage’, in front of which was situated the New River. Here Lamb was visited
by George Dyer, absent- minded poet and Baptist minister who stepped right in to the New River. This sudden total
immersion is commemorated in ‘Amicus Redivivus’ (A Friend Restored) one of the best-known Essays of Elia. When
Mary Lamb was seized with fits of madness her brother led her over the fields to a private mad-house kept at the
time in Balmes Road, Hackney.
Charles Lamb Court, Gerrard Road and Elia Street further serve to perpetuate their memory. From 1831-1844 the
house was occupied by John Webb, ‘Mf r. of Soda Water to her Majesty’! The firm later occupied premises in
Rosoman Buildings, Islington Green, but by 1924 had moved to Lambeth.
The Church of ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, Duncan Terrace (architect: J. Scholes) was opened on 26 June, 1843, with a
new roof added c. 1901. Alteration was made to the interior in 1964 and in 1973. The church is in the GermanRomanesque
style. One of the two towers had a wrought iron cross of about six feet but this was destroyed by a
barrage balloon in 1940, The organ by John Snetzler dates from c. 1760. Snetzler built the one at Marlborough
House. The fresco by Edward Armitage, RA, was painted on the walls of the Sanctuary in 1852.
I n 1970 John Tavener’s ‘The Whale’ was recorded in the church by Ringo Starr and 100 members of the London
Sinfonietta conducted by David Atherton and recorded by ‘Apple’.
A former pupil of the day schools (called in 1957 St. William of York) was James Neal, RA, then living in Clephane
Road. See also ASTEY’S ROW. His painting, ‘The Procession’, based on one at St. John’s, was hung in the 1951 Royal
Academy. The priest from 1980-1984, Monsignor Bruce Kent, General Secretary of the CND, is a national figure.
The CLERKENWELL COUNTY COURT building is modern but there was a Court building at 33 Duncan Terrace in 1851.
From 1836-46 the building was South Islington Proprietary School.
Emily Soldene, born in Claremont Square, died 8 April, 1912, aged 72. Her father was a lawyer in Duncan Terrace.
She was a favourite singer at the old Grand Theatre, Islington High Street and a star of light opera. She also wrote a
novel. See SOLDENE COURT.
A commemorative plaque at 4 Duncan Terrace records the former home of Edward Suess, educationalist, economist
and politician.
DUNCOMBE ROAD (1865-6)
Named after Thomas Slingsby Duncombe (1796-1861), MP for Hertford from 1826-32 and for Finsbury from 1834
until 1861. He was a prominent member of the Committee for the setting up of Finsbury Park as an open space. He
also vigorously attacked the prison hulks used from 1776-1856.
The DUNCOMBE HALL was in 1885 the Duncombe Road Chapel and by c.1901-2 the Duncombe Hall, in 1902 a
Seventh Day Adventist Training College. Superseded by the Duncombe Estate.
Duncombe Road Board School opened 1878. One storey added to the building in 1905. Re-opened c. 1945 as a
primary school. Re-named ARCHWAY SECONDARY BOYS SCHOOL 1951. Re-organised for Junior Mixed and Infants
1965. Since 1981 an annexe to the George Orwell School.
DUNDEE BUILDINGS, St. John’s Lane (1878)
Until c. 1945.
DUNFORD ROAD (c. 1865-6)
Re-numbered by 1886, before then included Dunford Road East.
DUNMOW WALK (1973)
DUNOON HOUSE, Bemerton Street (1969)
DURHAM COTTAGES, Durham Road (c. 1864-5)
DURHAM HOUSE, Cathcart Hill (Dartmouth Park Hill) (1899)
DURHAM HOUSE, Fieldway Crescent (1904)
DURHAM ROAD (c. 1860) Incorporated Freehold Street 1853.
St. Anne’s Home for the Retired was opened on July 1st, 1972, by Councillor Mrs. Patricia Bradbury, Mayor.
LENNOX HOUSE 1976. In June 1977, Councillor Arthur Bell, Mayor, opened ‘Islington’s first scented garden’ intended
for the blind, handicapped and elderly.
The former church of ST. ANNE’S, Pooles Park (architect: Alexander Dick Gough) dated from 1870. Charles Williams
(1886-1945), poet and novelist, was baptized there in 1886.

Duval’s Lane The name given to Hornsey Road in the 18th century.