Besant Collection (#4)

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]

Map of St James Park and Green Park in 1800, c1833 (1911). Artist: William Schmollinger
Map of St James Park and Green Park in 1800, c1833 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

King Street Gate, Westminster, c1725 (1911). Artist: George Vertue
King Street Gate, Westminster, c1725 (1911). The King Street Gate of Whitehall Palace. It was built under the direction of Henry VIII in 1532, demolished in 1723

Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, c1910 (1911). Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, c1910 (1911). View of Broad Sanctuary showing Westminster Hospital, Big Ben and St Margarets Church. From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant

The Jerusalem Chamber at the West End of Westminster Abbey, c1885 (1911). The Jerusalem Chamber is one of two large rooms added to the lodgings of the medieval Abbots of Westminster by Nicholas de

Hyde Park Corner, London, 1903 (1911). View showing the Ionic screen at the entrance to the park designed by Decimus Burton and built in 1825. From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant

Campden House, Kensington, c1900 (1911). The Jacobean seat of Viscount Campden, which stood on the site of the present Campden House Court, Kensington

Kensington Palace in Georgian Times, c1750 (1911). Artist: John Rocque
Kensington Palace in Georgian Times, c1750 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Royal Hospital, Chelsea, c1890 (1911). The Royal Hospital was founded by King Charles II (1630-1685) in 1682 as a retreat for veterans

The Pavilion, Hans Place, Chelsea, c1810 (1911). Artist: Thomas Mann Baynes
The Pavilion, Hans Place, Chelsea, c1810 (1911). Views of Hans Place Pavilion, designed by architect Henry Holland (1745-1806)

The Manor House at Chelsea, built by Henry VIII, c1810 (1911). King Henry VIII (1491-1547) moved to Chelsea in 1510. He began building his New Manor House, also known as Chelsea Palace in the 1540s

Fulham Church in 1812 (1911). From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Samuel Richardson, English writer and printer, c1750 (1911). Artist: Joseph Highmore
Samuel Richardson (1689-1761), English writer and printer, c1750 (1911).From London - North of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

The Roman Catholic Cathedral at Westminster, London, 1911. Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
The Roman Catholic Cathedral at Westminster, London, 1911. Tothill Fields Bridewell (also known as Tothill Fields Prison and Westminster Bridewell)

Hall of the Brotherhood of the Holy Trinity, London, c1790 (1906). From Medieval London, Vol. II - Ecclesiastical by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1906]

North-east view of the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, Leadenhall, City of London, c1825 (1906). Artist: Thomas Dale
North-east view of the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, Leadenhall, in the Parish of St Peter upon Cornhill, City of London, c1825 (1906). From Medieval London, Vol

The crypt of the Nunnery of St Helen, Bishopsgate, City of London, c1819 (1906). Artist: William Capon
The crypt of the Nunnery of St Helen, Bishopsgate, City of London, c1819 (1906). St Helens Bishopsgate is a large Anglican church and is the largest surviving parish church in the City of London

A column of the hall of Blackfriars Priory, City of London, 1906. Blackfriars was a Dominican priory built in the 13th century. It closed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries

South-east view of the Nunnery of St Helen, Bishopsgate, City of London, c1819 (1906). St Helens Bishopsgate is a large Anglican church

Interior of the Temple Church, City of London, c1905 (1906). Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
Interior of the Temple Church, City of London, c1905 (1906). The Temple Church is a late 12th century church in the City of London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames

Bermondsey Abbey, 19th century (1906). Artist: John Chessell Buckler
Bermondsey Abbey, 19th century (1906). Bermondsey Abbey was an English Benedictine monastery. A monastery is known to have existed at Bermondsey before 715 AD

Crypt of St Johns Church, Clerkenwell, London 1878 (1906). St John Clerkenwell is a former parish church in Clerkenwell, London, now used as the chapel of the modern Order of St John

Eastern cloister of St Bartholomews Priory, West Smithfield, City of London, c1805 (1906). Artist: John Greig
Eastern cloister of St Bartholomews Priory, West Smithfield, City of London, c1805 (1906). The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great was originally founded as an Augustinian priory in 1123

Interior of the Church of St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield, City of London, 1906. The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great was originally founded as an Augustinian priory in 1123

Church of St Bartholomew the Less, City of London, c1830 (1906). Artist: John Coney
Church of St Bartholomew the Less, City of London, c1830 (1906). St Bartholomew the Less is an Anglican parish church in the City of London and the church of St Bartholomews Hospital

Church of St Bartholomew the Great in West Smithfield, City of London, 1822 (1906). View of part of the choir, with the remains of the south transept

The gate of St Bartholomews Priory, West Smithfield, City of London, c1850 (1906).The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great was originally founded as an Augustinian priory in 1123

Plan of the Priory Church of St Bartholomew-the-Great, London, 1906. A conjectural restoration of the buildings of the church as existing in Prior William Boltons time, c1530

London Charterhouse, 1803 (1906). Artist: James Sargant Storer
London Charterhouse, 1803 (1906). The London Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings in Smithfield, London dating back to the 14th century. It was originally a Carthusian monastery

The sanctuary of the Church of St Martins le Grand, London, 1754 (1906). St. Martins le Grand was a former parish and liberty within the City of London

Chapel of the Hospital for Lepers in Kent Street, Southwark, c1813 (1906). Artist: C John M Whichelo
Chapel of the Hospital for Lepers in Kent Street, Southwark, c1813 (1906). From Medieval London, Vol. II - Ecclesiastical by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1906]

Torments of Hell, c1185 (1906). Hortus deliciarum (Garden of Delights) is a medieval manuscript compiled by Herrad of Landsberg at the Hohenburg Abbey in Alsace

All Hallows Church, London Wall, City of London, c1901 (1906). All Hallows-on-the-Wall is situated adjacent to London Wall, the former city wall of London

North-west view of the ruins of Winchester Palace, Southwark, London, c1900 (1906). Winchester Palace was a 12th century palace which served as the London townhouse of the Bishops of Winchester

St Ethelburgas Church, Bishopsgate, City of London, c1905 (1906). Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
St Ethelburgas Church, Bishopsgate, City of London, c1905 (1906). St Ethelburga-the-Virgin within Bishopsgate is a Church of England church in the City of London

Interior of the Guildhall, City of London, c1904 (1906). Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
Interior of the Guildhall, City of London, c1904 (1906). The building has been used as a town hall since 1440, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London

South-west view of Gerrards Hall, London, c1834 (1906). Gerrards Hall was the residence of John de Gisors, Lord Mayor of London in 1245, 1246 and 1259. From Medieval London, Vol

Tournament of the Earl of Warwick, 16th century (1906). John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1527-1554), and his brothers Ambrose (1530-1590) and Robert (1533-1588)

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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.