Holborn and Bloomsbury

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21411

Title

Holborn and Bloomsbury

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Sir Walter Besant and G. E. Mitton guide readers through the historic districts of Holborn and Bloomsbury, blending architectural history with literary associations. This volume explores ancient inns, famous parishes, and the evolution of London's streets, offering a rich tapestry of the city's enduring charm and heritage.

Summary up to 500 words

Holborn and Bloomsbury, by Sir Walter Besant and G. E. Mitton, serves as a comprehensive survey of a district rich in London's history, literary associations, and architectural evolution. Originally conceived as part of a larger project to document the city's heritage, the volume provides a systematic perambulation of parishes including St. Giles-in-the-Fields, St. George, Bloomsbury, St. Andrew, Holborn, and Hatton Garden. The authors meticulously trace the origins and transformations of major thoroughfares like Holborn, High Holborn, and New Oxford Street, noting the removal of notorious slums during the 19th century to make way for modern infrastructure such as the Holborn Viaduct. The narrative highlights the district's profound connection to eminent residents and writers. Notable figures who lived or worked in the area include John Dryden, Thomas Chatterton, Charles Dickens, Dr. Johnson, Sir Thomas More, and Francis Bacon. Specific locations are examined for their literary significance; for instance, Furnival's Inn housed chambers for Dickens, while St. Andrew's Church is known as the "Poets' Church," having been the burial place of Chatterton and the baptism site of Disraeli. The text also details the ecclesiastical boundaries of the parishes and describes specific institutions like Mudie's Library and the Mercers' School. The book contrasts the district's notorious past with its later prosperity. It recounts historical events such as the Great Plague outbreak in St. Giles, the Tyburn procession, and the Gordon Riots, during which the Swan Distillery was attacked. The authors discuss the area's transformation from a place of poverty and vice, described in 1845 as a byword for squalor, to a prosperous center of commerce and culture. Through this detailed exploration, the volume aims to make the continuity of London's past and present accessible, celebrating the undying charm of the city where history is written in its streets and stones.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Travel