Georgian London Town House: Building, Collecting and Display

This book explores the town houses of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, which were often leased and demolished in the early twentieth century, placing them at the center stage of family and national life. It examines the owners, furnishings, and visitors of these properties.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 364 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

For every grand Georgian country house, there was typically a townhouse to accompany it. Take, for instance, Chatsworth, the residence of the Devonshires, which has officially been hailed as one of the nation's most beloved national treasures. However, most of its visitors are unaware of Devonshire House, which the family once owned in the capital. This is partly due to the fact that townhouses were often leased rather than inherited through generations, as was the case with country estates. Moreover, many London townhouses, including Devonshire House, no longer stand, having been demolished in the early twentieth century. This book aims to bring to the forefront the significant yet previously overlooked townhouses of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, delving into their former prominence in the lives of families and the nation as a whole. It explores the owners of these properties, their furnishing and usage habits, and the assessments made by the diverse range of visitors who gained access to them.

Weight: 776g
Dimension: 154 x 230 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501373749