The street-line of the western section dates from around 1649 when it was known as Lolesworth Lane or Lolesworth Street as it crossed Lolesworth Field.
It appears as Browne’s Lane on maps of 1677, named after Jeffrey Browne, a local landowner who also owned part of the Spital Field which later became the market. The north side had become built up by 1681. The street was later extended east of Brick Lane, though called Montague Street, Church Street and Wells Street.
Considerable rebuilding took place during the early 1700s, resulting in the typical Georgian houses that dominated much of the area (and still do in nearby streets). Following the progressive expansion of Truman’s Black Eagle Brewery, Browne’s Lane and its continuations eastward were renamed and renumbered as Hanbury Street in 1876, in honour of Samson Hanbury and possibly his brother Osgood, who became partners in the brewery business from 1780. A widely reproduced broadsheet from September 1888 which reports the capture of ’Leather Apron’ refers to the street as ’Old Browne’s Lane’.
In 1884, Florence Soper inaugurated The Women’s Social Work, run from a small house in Hanbury Street. This home provided a safe haven for those who were already suffering from being involved in prostitution.
On 8 September 1888, the body of Annie Chapman – the second victim of Jack the Ripper – was found in the backyard of 29 Hanbury Street.
British entertainer Bud Flanagan was born at 12 Hanbury Street in 1896.
The growth of the brewery complex in the first half of the 20th century changed the appearance of the street only marginally, although a significant alteration did come with the demolition of the north side in March 1970. The south side retains many of the 18th century houses which have been restored, giving the modern visitor a flavour of how Hanbury Street would have appeared in more prosperous times.
