Person    | Male  Died 19/5/2019

John Henderson

Categories: Friend / family

Countries: Scotland

Known as John the book man, he sold second-hand books on West End Lane outside West Hampstead Thames Link station for about 20 years.

Born near Glasgow, he moved to London c.1990 and for a long time had a flat in Kilburn. Was known to have a drink and drug problem. Nicknamed Spider after some of his tattoos. Aged 49, he had some children one of which he had lost contact with. His much-loved dog, Sugar, died in July 2018.

John's body was found in Black Path, which runs alongside the north side of the railway track from West End Lane to Broomsleigh Street. The inquest found that drugs and alcohol were the cause of death.

He was very well thought of by many local people and there is a suggestion that the Path should be renamed after him. A mural has also been suggested but, given the fate of the nearby Billy Fury mural, we hope that is not followed up.

Photo: @harryfconway.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
John Henderson

Commemorated ati

John

This t-shirt is just one of the many messages left here, at this street memor...

Read More

Sugar

Sugar. Amazing three legged Staff Bull Terrier, Soul of West Hampstead, book ...

Read More

Other Subjects

Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones

Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones

Born Aberdeen. Winner of the Prix de Rome. Other work in London includes the 1963 Joy of Life group in the Hyde Park fountain, pictured by Ornamental Passions.

Person, Art, Sculpture, Scotland

1 memorial
Edgar Kail

Edgar Kail

Footballer. Born in Camberwell. He signed for Dulwich Hamlet Football Club in 1915, and repeatedly turned down offers to join professional clubs. His team won the F.A. Amateur Cup in 1920 and 1932,...

Person, Sport / Games, Scotland

1 memorial
Thomas Braidwood

Thomas Braidwood

Established an early school for the deaf.  Born Scotland. Set up as a teacher in Edinburgh and then, following his successful tuition of a deaf boy, in 1760 he specialised in teaching deaf children...

Person, Education, Scotland

1 memorial
William Bell Scott

William Bell Scott

Born Edinburgh. Painter and poet, closely associated with the Pre-Raphaelites. His work was championed by the Rossettis, Christina and Dante Gabriel. He achieved fame when he was commissioned to do...

Person, Art, Poetry, Scotland

1 memorial
Robert Boothby

Robert Boothby

Politician and broadcaster. Born Robert John Graham Boothby at 5 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh. Entered parliament in 1924 and held a couple of minor ministerial posts. He went on to become a well known...

Person, Politics & Administration, TV & Radio, Scotland

1 memorial