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.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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

Sir Giles Gilbert Scott

Sir Giles Gilbert Scott

Architect. Born 26 Church Row, Hampstead. Grandson of Sir George Gilbert Scott. Built Liverpool Cathedral (where he and his wife are buried). Rebuilt the Commons Chamber at the Houses of Parliament...

Person, Architecture

7 memorials
Charles Fitzroy Doll

Charles Fitzroy Doll

From 1885 until at least 1908 he was the Bedford Estate surveyor. Specialised in designing hotels, such as Hotel Russell. Other London work includes: Imperial Hotel next to Hotel Russell (demolishe...

Person, Architecture

2 memorials
Philip Tilden

Philip Tilden

Architect. In the Wikipedia list of his works none are in London.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
George Basevi

George Basevi

Architect.  Born London. Cousin to Benjamin Disraeli. Designed some lovely squares in London: Belgrave Square, Alexander Square, Thurloe Square, Pelham Crescent and Place, Walton Place, and a numbe...

Person, Architecture

3 memorials
William Leverton

William Leverton

Architect, builder and surveyor. Churchwarden at St Giles Church in 1800.

Person, Architecture, Politics & Administration, Property

1 memorial

Previously viewed

George Evans
War dead, WW1
1 memorial