Kings Cross Rowton House - Reading Room
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Kings Cross Rowton House - Reading Room
Men in the reading room at the Kings Cross Rowton House, London. The House was one of six large, purpose-built, low-cost hostels or doss-houses for working men established in the capital by Lord Rowton (Montagu William Lowry Corry). Date: 1899
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Media ID 14250463
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
1899 Capital Corry Established Hostels Low Cost Lowry Montagu Purpose Built Rowton Childrens
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment of quiet respite in the bustling Kings Cross area of London, as a group of working men take a break from their laborious days in the Reading Room of the Kings Cross Rowton House. Established in 1899 by the philanthropist Montagu William Lowry Corry, Lord Rowton, this large, purpose-built hostel was one of six similar institutions designed to provide affordable accommodation for working men in the capital. With a capacity to house over 1,000 men, the Kings Cross Rowton House was an essential resource for those who could not afford the high costs of London's commercial lodgings. The Reading Room, with its long wooden tables and rows of books, offered a space for relaxation and intellectual pursuits. The men, dressed in their work clothes, sit engrossed in their reading materials, their expressions reflecting a deep concentration. The children in the background, clad in their best Sunday attire, add a touch of innocence and hope to the scene. The Kings Cross Rowton House was not just a place to sleep, but also offered a range of facilities, including a laundry, baths, and a dining hall. The institution's ethos was rooted in the belief that providing a clean and comfortable environment would help to improve the lives of its residents and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. This photograph offers a glimpse into the daily life of the men who sought refuge in the Kings Cross Rowton House, a testament to the transformative power of affordable housing and the importance of providing spaces for rest and respite in the midst of urban life.
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