Person    | Male  Born 1638  Died 1698

Nicholas Barbon

Nicholas Barbon

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...

Read More

Other Subjects

South London Hospital for Women

South London Hospital for Women

Hospital for women and children. Founded by surgeons Eleanor Davies-Colley and Maud Chadburn. Throughout its existence, it was staffed by women only. The original building was designed by Sir Edwin...

Building, Architecture, Medicine

2 memorials
St Mary le Bow

St Mary le Bow

There is archaeological evidence that a church has existed on the site in Cheapside, London, since Saxon times, and the current building was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Its famous bells featu...

Building, Architecture, Religion

1 memorial
Hammersmith and Fulham Historic Buildings Group

Hammersmith and Fulham Historic Buildings Group

Founded to focus attention on the historic environment of the borough and to record, preserve and enhance its historic buildings.

Group, Architecture, Community / Clubs, History

14 memorials
Survey of London

Survey of London

Founded by C. R. Ashbee in 1894, the first volume being published in 1900. With over 28 volumes published so far this is a research work-in-progress aiming to produce a comprehensive architectural ...

Concept, Architecture, History

1 memorial