Great Russell Street

The Great Russell Street is a street in London's Bloomsbury, Camden. It begins on Tottenham Court Road and runs in an easterly direction to Bloomsbury Square. Almost half of the entire north side of the street is occupied by the British Museum, which is located in the eastern portion and extends from Bedford Square to Montague Street.

History

The street has its origins in an ancient way called Green Lane. The development of a road started about in 1670. Around 1720 the Great Russell Street formed the northern boundary of the London development area. North of the road, there was farmland the family Capper, of the Duke of Bedford.

Even at that time it was by John Strype as " beautiful, spacious and well- built road " described, " which is flanked by the most beautiful buildings in which the nobility and upper class living; particularly on its north side, where behind the villas are large gardens. "

About five decades later lived in the 1770s, the recognized physician William Battie ( 1703-1776 ) in this street and the architect John Nash ( 1752-1835 ) built this stately mansions, one of which he temporarily occupied themselves.

In the 19th century, the road began to change, was ordinary and commercial, particularly on the south side. The north side was spacious, especially because of the British Museum.

Famous residents

At number 14, the writer Charles Dickens lived ( 1812-1870 ).

The writer and artist George du Maurier lived first in point 46 and later under number 91 1863-1868. Downstairs the house number 46 entertained George du Maurier also a studio in the 1870s and illustrator Randolph Caldecott ( 1846-1886 ) was used.

Under the number 59 in the tourism pioneer Thomas Cook opened his first travel agency in 1863.

Number 77 was the residence of the architect Thomas Henry Wyatt ( 1807-1880 ), who also died here.

The actor John Kemble (1757-1823) purchased the house with number 89 towards the end of the 18th century and sold it in 1820. His father, Roger Kemble, who was also an actor, died here in 1802.

The house with the number 106 inhabited by the architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin.

Furthermore, the painter Philip Burne -Jones (1861-1926) was born in this street the light of day.