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.
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...
Other Subjects
William Kent
Painter, architect, and designer of gardens and interior furnishings. Baptised in Yorkshire, on 1 January 1686. Began as a sign and coach painter. While on the Grand Tour he met his chief patron an...
Person, Architecture, Art, Craft / Design, Gardens / Agriculture
Robert Atkinson & A. F. B. Anderson
Architects active in the 1930s. Also built the Grade II listed Swiss Cottage Regency Lodge, the huge block of flats that occupies the southern section of the Swiss Cottage gyratory and other blocks...
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...
Sir Patrick Abercrombie
Pioneer of town and country planning, Leslie Patrick Abercrombie was born near Manchester. Abercrombie was an academic during most of his career, and prepared one city plan and several regional st...