Plaque: Essex Street & Essex Hall
Erection date: 1962
{Inscribed stone to the right of the right-most green awning in the picture:}
Essex Street was laid out in the grounds of Essex House by Nicholas Barbon in 1675. Among many famous lawyers who lived here were
Sir Orlando Bridgeman c.1606 - 1674. Lord Keeper
Henry Fielding 1707 - 1754, Novelist and
Brass Crosby 1725 - 1793 Lord Mary of London
James Savage 1779 - 1852 Architect had his office here
Prince Charles Edward Stuart stayed at a house in the street in 1750.
Rev. Theophilus Lindsey 1723 - 1808 Unitarian Minister founded Essex Street Chapel here in 1774.
Dr. Samuel Johnson established an evening club at the Essex Head in 1783.
This plaque was first erected at 7 Essex Street in 1962 and then re-erected here, at Essex Hall in 1964.
Site: Essex Street & Essex Hall (2 memorials)
WC2, Essex Street, Essex Hall
Below the historical stone plaque is one for the building foundation: "Essex Hall, this stone was laid by Mrs Sydney Martineau, the eighth day of June 1957." Could she be the widow of Sydney Martineau (1863 – 1945) the British Olympic fencer? More information about the creation of the building at The Story of Essex Hall.