The origins of the East End textile industry can be traced to the 14th century when Flemish artisans set up dye works on the River Lea. In the late 17th century the Huguenots arrived in Spitalfields bringing their skills with silk-weaving, lace-making, fan-making, etc. Then the Jewish tailors arrived and enriched the area further.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
garment and textile industries in the East End
Commemorated ati
Bowler plaque - Scissors and Buttons - Brick Lane north
We failed to find this plaque in Dec-Jan 2017, but it is identical to that fu...
Bowler plaque - Scissors and Buttons - Brick Lane south
There is meant to be another identical plaque further north in Brick Lane but...
Bowler plaque - Shuttle and Bobbins
The plaque shows a shuttle and two bobbins, representing the local weaving tr...
Whitechapel Threads sculpture
The artists worked with the Rope Makers Guild to produce this image of two sk...
Other Subjects
Robert E. Rhea
Businessman. Born in Aurora, Illinois. Responsible for developing the McDonald's hamburger empire abroad.
1 memorial
Barber Beaumont
Army officer, painter, philanthropist. Born John Thomas Barber and in 1812 for no known reason, he added the name of Beaumont. He specialised in historical and portrait miniatures, and displayed at...
3 memorials
British Empire League
Formed in London with the purpose of promoting trade, communication, defence, etc. between the UK and the various colonies and India. We can find little information about the BEL; it may even stil...
1 memorial
Foyles bookshop
Created by William and Gilbert Foyle. Â See William for more information. For more on old London bookshops see Spitalfields Life.
2 memorials
Frederick Frye
Grocer and Liberal politician. Full name Frederick Charlwood Frye. Started a chain of shops in 1870 and by 1894 was running 50 stores across England and Ireland. Was a member of the Metropolitan Bo...
1 memorial
Previously viewed
Greyfriars Monastery
A monastery was established here by the grey-habited Franciscans. Following the dissolution of the monasteries the church was renamed Christchurch and in 1552 the remains of the monastery were conv...
2 memorials
St Annes Neighbourhood - post-war redevelopment
E14, Dora Street
We could not read the plaque itself but it is shown very clearly in the British Pathe film.
2 subjects commemorated,
1 creator
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