Builder and economist, a key figure in the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire. Laid out Essex Street in 1675. Also redeveloped Red Lion Fields and the Temple. It seems he was an extrovert rogue, dishonest and manipulative. Died, probably at his home in Osterley House, Middlesex, heavily in debt. Good write up at London Historians.
His father, a preacher and politician, had the unusual first name: "Praisegod". That we believe is true since the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has an entry for Praisegod. Wikipedia's entry for Nicholas has his middle name as "Unless-Jesus-Christ-Had-Died-For-Thee-Thou-Hadst-Been-Damned". This is not mentioned in the ODNB so we wonder if it is one of those ho-ho-ho jokes for which Wikipedia's less-than-serious contributors are famed.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Nicholas Barbon
Commemorated ati
Essex Street & Essex Hall
This plaque was first erected at 7 Essex Street in 1962 and then re-erected h...
Other Subjects
Halsey Ricardo
Architect in the Arts and Crafts style, and designer. Born Bath. Worked for 10 years with William de Morgan and specialised in using glazed materials. Work in London includes: Debenham (or Peacock)...
Eyre Arms Tavern
St John’s Wood was once part of the Great Forest of Middlesex. Until the end of the eighteenth century (when plans for residential development first appeared) it remained in agricultural use. By 17...
James Adam
Born Edinburgh. Died 13 Albemarle Street. By 1754 had joined the family architectural firm. One of four Adam brothers.
Royal Garrison Church of St George
Built by Thomas Henry Wyatt, in the Italianate style. It became a royal garrison church in 1928, following a visit by King George V. It contains many mosaics, particularly one by Antonio Salviati, ...