A sumptuous history of one of the most important features of the London landscape. The history of the London square begins in 1631 with the great name of Inigo Jones, whose houses and church in Covent Garden were both started in that year. Lincolns Inn Fields followed from 1638, though Southampton (now Bloomsbury) Square was the first to formally bear that name. Then the Georgian age ushered in the second great wave of square building. This stunning collection provides an alphabetical guide to all 578 historic London squares, whether large, small, famous, obscure, existing or long vanished. For each there is a brief history, a description of the architecture and some account of notable former residents; for many, an archive photograph or engraving (and for the major squares several). This comprehensive and unique study also includes an index and select bibliography. AUTHOR: John Coulter has worked in the Lewisham Local History Centre for many years, where he is Local Studies Librarian. He has written fifteen books on London history, most of them about Lewisham, where he works, or Norwood, where he lives. Twelve are for Sutton Publishing, two for Chalford and one for Historical Publications. This is his first book for The History Press. SELLING POINTS: . 578 historic squares of London . 400 superb illustrations
ancient, Victorian and modern . Every entry complete with a brief history, description of the architecture and some account of notable former residents . Complete with index and a select bibliography 200 b/w, 200 colour