Besant Collection (#3)

Triumphal arch erected at the time of the coronation of King James I, 1604 (1903). James VI of Scotlands (1566-1625) English coronation took place on 25 July 1603

Inner Temple Gate House, City of London, c1900 (1911). Inner Temple, Fleet Street, is one of the four Inns of Court in central London

Fleet Street, City of London, c1900 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Fleet Street, City of London, c1900 (1911). Fleet Street is named after the River Fleet, Londons largest underground river. The street is traditionally associated with the British national press

Long Lane, Smithfield, City of London, 1810 (1911). Artist: John Thomas Smith
Long Lane, Smithfield, City of London, 1810 (1911). From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

General Post Office, City of London, c1910 (1911). Britains first purpose-built mail facility located in St Martins le Grand

Cloth Fair, City of London, 1911. Cloth Fair is a street in the City of London where merchants gathered to buy and sell material during the Bartholomew Fair

Paternoster Row, City of London, 1911. Paternoster Row was the centre of the London publishing trade. In 1819 Paternoster Row was described as ?almost synonymous? with the book trade

An exciting game: pupils of Christs Hospital school, City of London, c1900 (1911). Artist: RW Thomas
An exciting game: pupils of Christs Hospital school, City of London, c1900 (1911). Founded in 1552, Christs Hospital was the result of the vision of King Edward VI (1537-1553)

Custom House, City of London, 1911. From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Billingsgate Market, City of London, c1900 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Billingsgate Market, City of London, c1900 (1911). Billingsgate Wharf, Lower Thames Street, became the centre of a fish market during the 16th

The Coal Exchange, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
The Coal Exchange, City of London, c1910 (1911). The London Coal Exchange was situated on the north side of Thames Street, occupying three different structures from 1770 to 1962

Fishmongers Hall, City of London, 1911. Artist: Pictorial Agency
Fishmongers Hall, City of London, 1911. The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers the Company ranks fourth in the order of precedence of City Livery Companies

Cannon Street, looking west, City of London, c1910 (1911). From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Queen Victoria Street, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: York & Son
Queen Victoria Street, City of London, c1910 (1911). From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

British and Foreign Bible Society House, City of London, c1890 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
British and Foreign Bible Society House, City of London, c1890 (1911). The British and Foreign Bible Society, often known in England and Wales as simply the Bible Society

Interior of Stationers Hall, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Hedley Hilton
Interior of Stationers Hall, City of London, c1910 (1911). The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers (until 1937 the Worshipful Company of Stationers)

Ludgate Circus and Ludgate Hill, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
Ludgate Circus and Ludgate Hill, City of London, c1910 (1911). Ludgate Circus has historically been the main connection between the City of London and the City of Westminster

Church of St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, City of London, c1890 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Church of St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, City of London, c1890 (1911). St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate is a Church of England church on the west side of Bishopsgate, first mentioned in 1212

Principal entrance to Leathersellers Hall, City of London, 1801 (1911). View of the building demolished in 1799. From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Church of St Helen, Bishopsgate, City of London, 1817 (1911). Artist: William Wise
Church of St Helen, Bishopsgate, City of London, 1817 (1911). South-west view. Dating from the 12th century, the Church of St Helen was the parish church of William Shakespeare when he lived in

Bank of England Fountain, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Bank of England Fountain, City of London, c1910 (1911). From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Gresham College, City of London, c18th century (1911). Gresham College is an institution of higher learning located at Barnards Inn Hall off Holborn

The Mansion House and Cheapside, City of London, c1890 (1911). Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
The Mansion House and Cheapside, City of London, c1890 (1911). Mansion House has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London since 1752

Church of St Stephen, Walbrook, City of London, c1890 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Church of St Stephen, Walbrook, City of London, c1890 (1911). St Stephen Walbrook is a church in the City of London, part of the Church of Englands Diocese of London

Salters Hall, City of London, 1822 (1911). Artist: Thomas Hosmer Shepherd
Salters Hall, City of London, 1822 (1911). The Worshipful Company of Salters is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London

Church of St Mary Woolnoth, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Church of St Mary Woolnoth, City of London, c1910 (1911). St Mary Woolnoth is an Anglican church in the City of London, located on the corner of Lombard Street and King William Street

Birchs confectionery shop, Cornhill, City of London, 19th century (1911). Cornhill contains two of the City churches designed by Christopher Wren: St Michael, Cornhill

St Peters Church, Cornhill, City of London, 1811 (1911). Artist: George Sidney Shepherd
St Peters Church, Cornhill, City of London, 1811 (1911). St Peter upon Cornhill is an Anglican church on the corner of Cornhill and Gracechurch Street in the City of London

Mercers Hall, Cheapside, City of London, c1830 (1911). Artist: Sandell Ltd
Mercers Hall, Cheapside, City of London, c1830 (1911). The Mercers Company is based at Mercers Hall in Ironmonger Lane, City of London

Interior of Mercers Hall, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Sandell Ltd
Interior of Mercers Hall, City of London, c1910 (1911). The Mercers Company is based at Mercers Hall in Ironmonger Lane, City of London

Inside view of the Poultry Compter, City of London, 1813 (1911). Artist: John Thomas Smith
Inside view of the Poultry Compter, City of London, 1813 (1911). Poultry Compter was a small prison, run by a Sheriff of the City of London from medieval times until 1815

Church of St Lawrence, Jewry, City of London, c1910 (1911). St Lawrence Jewry is a Church of England guild church in the City of London on Gresham Street

Church of St Mildred, Poultry, City of London, 1812 (1911). Artist: George Sidney Shepherd
Church of St Mildred, Poultry, City of London, 1812 (1911). St Mildred, Poultry was a parish church in the Cheap ward of the City of London

Interior of the Royal Exchange, City of London, c1910 (1911). Founded by the merchant Sir Thomas Gresham, the Royal Exchange was officially opened on 23 January 1571 by Queen Elizabeth I

Hackney, c1790 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Old houses in St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, c1811 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Bishop Burnets House in St Johns Square, Clerkenwell, London, c1900 (1911). Gilbert Burnet (1643-1715) was a Scottish philosopher, historian and cleric who became Bishop of Salisbury in 1689

Staple Inn, Holborn Bars, London, c1910 (1911). Staple Inn is a Tudor building on High Holborn, used as the London venue for meetings of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

The Old Curiosity Shop near Lincolns Inn Fields, London, c1860 (1911). Artist: Joseph Swain
The Old Curiosity Shop near Lincolns Inn Fields, London, c1860 (1911). Situated at 13 Portsmouth Street, Holborn, the Old Curiosity Shop dates from around 1567

A plan of Holborn, St Giles, and St Pancras, London, in 1800 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Jack Straws Castle, Hampstead, London, c1900 (1911). Jack Straws Castle is a former public house in Hampstead and takes its name from one of the leaders of the Peasants Revolt in 1381 who is said to

St Pauls Church, Covent Garden Market, during the Westminster election in 1808 (1911). Artist: Augustus Charles Pugin
St Pauls Church, Covent Garden Market, during the Westminster election in 1808 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

York Watergate, Westminster, 1784 (1911). Artist: Alexander Hogg
York Watergate, Westminster, 1784 (1911). York gateway marks the position of the north bank of the River Thames before the construction of the Victoria Embankment in 1862

A bird s-eye view of Burlington House, Piccadilly, Westminster, c1707 (1911). Artist: Johannes Kip
A bird s-eye view of Burlington House, Piccadilly, Westminster, c1707 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Piccadilly Circus, Westminster, London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
Piccadilly Circus, Westminster, London, c1910 (1911). The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain by Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934) is dedicated to the memory of the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885)

Northumberland House, Charing Cross, Westminster, c1753 (1911). Artist: Thomas Bowles
Northumberland House, Charing Cross, Westminster, c1753 (1911). Northumberland House was a large Jacobean townhouse, so called because it was the London residence of the Percy family

National Gallery and Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, London, c1910 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

The Guard Room, Scotland Yard, Westminster, 1805 (1911). Artist: John Thomas Smith
The Guard Room, Scotland Yard, Westminster, 1805 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

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"Besant: A Trailblazer in Social Justice and Activism" In 1888, the world witnessed a pivotal moment in history with the Matchgirl Strike. The courageous actions of the 1888 Matchgirls, led by Annie Besant, marked a turning point in workers' rights and ignited a spark that would fuel future movements. Born circa 1900, Annie Besant was an influential figure who dedicated her life to fighting for justice and equality. Her tireless efforts resonated far beyond her time, leaving an indelible mark on society. Besant's activism extended beyond labor issues. She played a significant role in various causes throughout her life. From championing women's suffrage to advocating for educational reforms, she fearlessly challenged societal norms. The Holy Trinity Church in Clapham stands as a testament to Besant's unwavering faith and commitment to spirituality. Built around c1812 and restored in 1912, this sacred place served as both solace and inspiration for her during turbulent times. Annie Besant collaborated closely with fellow activist Fuller on numerous projects aimed at improving living conditions for the working class. Together they fought against poverty-stricken neighborhoods depicted vividly by William Hogarth's powerful artworks like "Beer Street" (1751) or "A Country Inn Yard" (1747). It also shed light on social vices prevalent within elite circles through works such as William Radclyffe's depiction of "Gambling at Whites Club" (1734). Her relentless pursuit of truth exposed injustices regardless of social standing or privilege. With deep historical roots dating back to King Edward the Confessor's Palace at Borstal (Brill) in 1908 or incidents surrounding Venners Rising and rebel leaders' execution from 1661 captured poignantly by Thomas Dale’s artwork depicting Leadenhall Skin Market (1825), Besant understood that understanding the past was crucial for shaping a better future.