Erection date: 1960
Lord Byron was born here 1788.
Imogen at the archive confirms that this unusual plaque was on site until at least 1988. She could not find any explanation for the removal of this plaque nor trace it in the archive, so it seems it is truly lost.
Site: Lord Byron (4 memorials)
W1, Holles Street, John Lewis
In the world of plaques this is an important site since the first ever official plaque (our P1) was placed by the (Royal) Society of Arts on a house here. Just a shame that it was lost and that replacing it has proved so troublesome.
Over the years there have been 4 Byron memorials here, which we have imaginatively labelled: P1, P2, P3, P4.
We thank Steve Roffey for the research on which these pages are based. Prime sources: RSoA Journals, UCL Survey of London.
Also, in July 2025 we visited the JLP Heritage Centre in Cookham where Archivist Imogen was immensely helpful and provided some extra details to our understanding. She added that at various times John Lewis has used the Byron connection in its branding: c.1900 a portrait of Byron was included on the firm’s letterhead and then in the 1950s the foyer of the Byron Room Restaurant (the partners’ dining room we think) was decorated with a mural representing Byron’s life.
Sources include: UCL Bartlett.
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