London Town with Mr Brown

24/01/2024

On this day 25th January 41 AD the foundation event of London: the Roman Senate accepted Claudius as new Emperor.
(seen here on a cameo at the British Museum)

Lacking experience, hearing impaired, afflicted with a limp and a stutter, he was in desperate need of a nice bit of conquering and expansion of the Empire to establish himself. Hence a couple of years later, having landed in Britain the Roman army established the first wooden fortifications and bridge on the banks of the Thames which eventually became the settlement of Londinium.

So arguably: no Emperor Claudius, no LondonTownWithMrBrown!!

Email [email protected] to join me for Roman tours on the streets of London or the British Museum

27/10/2023

On this day 27th October 1923, the birthday of artist Roy Lichtenstein whose original hand painted comic book style is so well known it has become shorthand for 1960s “Pop Art”.

See this example “Whaam !” on a guided tour of Tate Modern.

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21/10/2023

On this day in London history 21st October 1944, the birthday of Mandy Rice-Davies, the “showgirl” whose 1963 connections with Christine Keeler and the politically toxic “Profumo Affair” made her a celebrity. As a consequence the press revealed the downright nasty dealings of her boyfriend, the slumlord Peter Rachman. The Oxford English Dictionary actually added the word “Rachmanism” as a shorthand description of appalling treatment of tenants. At one time Rachman was extracting rent from 1200 people living in flats in Notting Hill which were designed only for 200 at most. The accommodation was described as “dirty & unfit for human habitation” but tenants who were due to appear at a tribunal to testify against Rachmann mysteriously withdrew their complaints…. after a visit from his enforcers. When Mandy learned that Rachman had died of a heart attack, she fainted and had to be resuscitated. Her first words on recovering were: “Did he leave a will ?” After contributing to the downfall of the Government, Mandy went on to record minor hit singles, appear in movies and eventually settle down in Tel Aviv where she opened a series of successful clubs. Her life as she herself described it “a long slow descent into respectability”.

18/10/2023

On this day in London history 18th October 1922 the foundation of the BBC: The British Broadcasting Company which set up its broadcasting base here at Marconi House on the Strand with 4 employees. This was the origin of today’s British Broadcasting Corporation, currently employing around 21,000 people the world’s largest broadcaster. At the time in 1922 the building next door was the burlesque venue the Gaiety Theatre (2), the origin of the Gaiety Girls, but demolished in 1957 and now the ME Hotel (nice rooftop cocktail bar!). Original fittings from the theatre are still on display at The Victoria pub in Bayswater, original Gaiety Girls costume designs are on display in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Theatre and Performance Galleries and the original Marconi House is still on the Strand.

For walking tours of Theatreland, visits to the V&A or historic pub crawls email me [email protected]

01/10/2023

This artwork, “The Family of Darius before Alexander” by Paolo Veronese shows a moment on this day in history, 01 October 331 BC. Alexander the Great had just defeated Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela (present-day Iraq). Sisygambis, mother of Darius, (the kneeling lady with the fur cape) threw herself to the floor before the man she thought was Alexander, but it was in fact his general Hephaestion….oops ! The artist leaves us equally unsure whether Alexander is the man in orange or in red on the right. Veronese painted this nearly 2,000 years after the battle (1565) and its Venetian audience would have enjoyed the deliberate lack of clarity and given a hearty chuckle to see these ancient characters dressed in contemporary outfits. It was painted in Venice, but you can now see how huge it is at the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square.

For fun and enlightening art tours of the National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, The Wallace Collection or the Victoria & Albert Museum email me: [email protected]

29/09/2023

On this day in history, 29 Sep 1571, Caravaggio, the creator of this splendid artwork, was born. Full name Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, would have been 452 years old today. This piece, the “Supper at Emmaus”, is available to view for free at the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square. It shows the moment of drama and revelation in this biblical story. The art of Caravaggio is fascinating and massively influential, but most of what we know about him comes from his criminal record. He wins the prize for “most arrested painter in art history”…. And, in a gloriously Italian manner, one of those arrests was over a violent argument about food in a restaurant ! Happy 452nd birthday maestro.

For fun and enlightening tours of the National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, The Wallace Collection or the Victoria & Albert Museum email me: [email protected]

03/09/2023

On this day in London history, 3rd September 1938 was the birthday in Marylebone of the great architect Sir Richard MacCormac (1938 – 2014). Often called a “humane Modernist” his legacy is all around us in London: The Science Museum extension (1), Southwark Tube station (2), the new BBC Broadcasting House in Portland Place (3). All showing off his unique style featuring fine materials, great attention to detail and elegant geometry. His company MJP Architects is based in Spitalfields where he also lived with his partner Jocasta Innes in two beautifully renovated houses on Heneage St, as featured in his book “Two Houses in Spitalfields”. To quote from the Gentle Author in Spitalfields Life: he “will be fondly remembered for his shrewd intelligence, wit and generosity of spirit.”

For guided tours featuring architecture or any part of London email me on [email protected]

22/06/2023

“Hello darkness, my old friend”
On this day in London the National Portrait Gallery reopened after 3 years of closure for restoration.
And this picture of William Shakespeare (maybe) was the first portrait purchased in 1856 when the gallery opened. Catalogue number NPG1

We don’t know for sure that this is West Midlands leading playwright, but it certainly fits the dates and I just love that cool, piratical earring.

It’s purely my imagination but is this maybe (despite being married with 3 children) the hipster Will S, living the Shoreditch dream: hanging out with lords and actors; drinking and brawling with Ben Jonson; partying with the Dark Lady AND the Fair Youth !

While other later images of him show a settled middle-aged Stratford-on-Avon landowner. A bit portly maybe, receding hairline maybe , but you know what, the boy done good, had some real fine times and now just kicking back and relaxing. More wine w***h !!

For a Shakespeare walking tour or guided tour of the National Portrait Gallery email [email protected]

17/06/2023

London Town With Mr Brown is taking a break from London guiding, with a weekend University of Cambridge course called “Poets, painters and musicians in Shakespeare’s England” appropriately at the stunning Tudor mansion of Madingley Hall with its fabulous gardens as created by Lancelot “Capability” Brown. The Browns are everywhere !

Join me for my (soon to be created) Shakespeare walking tour of London. Email [email protected]

12/05/2023

Happy birthday Dante Gabriel Rossetti (DGR) the epitome of the troubled artist. Born in London and living for many years on Cheyne Walk, Chelsea with a menagerie of exotic animals including a toucan dressed in a cowboy hat riding round on a llama; heartbroken at the early death of his first wife, he dramatically flung all his unpublished poems into her coffin; later in need of material he rather sheepishly had the body exhumed to retrieve them.

DGR was an artist of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood along with William Holman-Hunt and John Everett Millais, who all have work on display at the wonderful and under appreciated Tate Britain collection including this delicate and intriguing depiction of the Annunciation “Ecce Ancilla Domini”

Let me take you on an art history tour around London’s galleries. Email [email protected]

08/04/2023

On this day in history 8th April: 1605, the birthday of Philip IV of Spain; 1973 the passing away of Pablo Picasso. Both are responsible for great artworks in the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London. Philip because he commissioned these fabulous portraits from Diego Velasquez (the artist most famous for “The Rokeby Venus”). Picasso who created “Motherhood” (picture 4). Both paintings feature in my “Women in Art” themed tour of the National Gallery.

For walks in London including tours of the National Gallery email me:
[email protected]

27/02/2023

On this day in London history, the Labour Party was founded (in all but name) at the Congregational Hall on Farringdon St. The Labour Representation Committee as it was first known, immediately highlighted the injustice of Conservative support in the Taff Vale judgment. This was a railways dispute in which the union had to pay £23,000 damages for a strike and effectively made strikes illegal, since employers could recoup the cost of lost business from the unions. Prompted by this abuse of political process the Labour-Liberal pact led to the “Liberal Landslide” of 1906.
One of the government’s first acts was to overturn the Taff Vale judgment.
Let’s hope we are not in danger of sleepwalking back to a Taff Vale situation with this current government.

For more stories of history and politics on the streets of London book a walking tour.
Email me: [email protected]

23/02/2023

A sombre anniversary in today’s London history: 23rd Feb 1820 the arrest of the Cato St conspirators including British Afro-Caribbean William Davidson. An event which eventually led to the last public beheading in London.
They were a group angered by the oppression of the poor and in particular the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester, 6 months earlier where 15 innocent protestors died when charged by armed cavalry. The conspirators plotted in a house on Cato St near Edgware Rd to kill their dictatorial government. Betrayed by a spy and arrested on this day, 5 of them were executed publicly on May Day outside what is now the Old Bailey. Hanged until dead, their heads were then removed from their bodies as a message to the uppity masses to remember their place.

For more stories of the shocking violence and drama of London’s history, book me for a walking tour.
Email [email protected]

22/02/2023

On this day in London history two key artistic moments separated by 77 years. On 22nd February 1969 The Beatles commenced recording the first element of what would become their last album “Abbey Rd”. On 22nd February 1892 was the very first performance of Oscar Wilde’s “Lady Windermere’s Fan”. The play provided us with that classic Oscarism: “I can resist everything except temptation”. Ironically on the same day 77 years later the Beatles began recording “I Want You”.

For more fascinating connections, musical and theatrical tales, join me for a walk in the streets of London.

Email: [email protected]

11/02/2023

11th February 1930. On this day in London history the birthday of Mary Quant fashion icon of the 60s and early innovator of miniskirts and hot pants. Described as the “godmother of the youth movement in fashion” she is a true Londoner, born in Blackheath, studied at Goldsmiths College - both in South-east London - apprenticed in posh Mayfair right next to the very grand Claridge’s Hotel and opened her groundbreaking first shop Bazaar on the King’s Rd in Chelsea. Happy Birthday Mary Q !

For more fun and fascinating links on the streets of London book me for a tour. Email: [email protected]

10/02/2023

On this day in London history 10th February we remember two events linked by a mysterious, cursed diamond. On this day in 1840 Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in St James Palace. On this same day in 1846 the East India Company began the 1st Anglo-Sikh War in the Punjab which eventually leads to the Last Treaty of Lahore in which Maharajah Dulip Singh (then at the ripe old age of 11… seriously) signed away his birthright to the EIC including the fabulous Koh-i-noor diamond.

At which point it was presented as a gift to Queen Victoria. It gained a reputation as a cursed stone because of the numbers of men who died when in possession. Hence it has only ever been worn by female royalty and in fact you can still see it today in the crown of the Queen Mother in the Jewel House inside the Tower of London.

Since its 1947 independence the Indian Government has demanded the return of the diamond but because its origins are shrouded in mystery it is also claimed by Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even the Taliban !

For more fun and fascinating links on the streets of London or a visit to the Tower of London book me for a tour.
Email: [email protected]

02/02/2023

On this day in London history, 02 February, three interlinked birthdays: Born in Gravesend on this day in 1986 actor, Gemma Arterton’s first stage role was as Rosaline in Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labours Lost” and today in 1585 was the birth of Shakespeare’s only son Hamnet (sic). After appearing as Strawberry Fields (sic) in the Bond movie “Quantum of Solace” Ms Arterton later performed at Shakespeare’s Globe as “Nell Gwynn” who, unbelievably, also had her birthday today in 1650 ! “Pretty, witty Nell” was the mistress of King Charles II (although she called him Charles the Third having slept with two other Charlies:)). Born in a brothel in a London slum, she negotiated the role of a 17th century concubine superbly ending up owning a grand house on posh Pall Mall. Two top women !

For more fun stories on the streets of London book me for a walking tour. Email [email protected]

31/01/2023

31st January. On this day in London history we remember a legal process approved of by a majority which later turned out to be based on dubious evidence….No, not Brexit…. On 31st January 1910 Cora, the wife of infamous Dr Crippen disappeared. He was later arrested for her murder after body parts were found under the floor of their house in Holloway, North London. Hanged for the gruesome murder, Crippen’s dastardly doings became a notorious “true crime” story. Until recently when Crippen’s conviction was thrown into doubt as a result of modern DNA techniques suggesting that the body parts were from a man ! The Court of Appeal refused to reopen the case however.
Cue recrimination, failure, doubt, confusion, accusations, cover up and lies….and yes, now I AM talking about Brexit.

For more fascinating facts and fun links book me for a walking tour of London by emailing: [email protected]

26/01/2023

On this day in London history 26th January 1871 the Rugby Football Union was formed. This momentous event took place at the Pall Mall restaurant just off Trafalgar Square. There seems to be some truth in the rumour that only 21 of the 23 clubs attended because the representatives from Wasps and Ealing stopped for, ahem, a quick beer on the way….. and never left the pub. In 1906 the same location became Oceanic House, the home of the White Star Line. So where early prop forwards had a boozy lunch was the same place where ill-fated travellers bought their tickets for the Titanic.

For more fun stories on the streets of London, book me for a walking tour: email [email protected]

19/01/2023

On this day in art history 19th January 1839 was the birth of Paul Cézanne, one of the giants of art who once said, “I want to astonish Paris with an apple!”
A key link in the transition from 19th century to 20th century art from Impressionism to Modernism. He was influenced by Manet, worked alongside Renoir and influenced Picasso (who called him a "mother hovering over," ) and Henri Matisse (who said he was “father to us all”). Dismissed as “crazy” along with the early Impressionists, one version of his “The Card Players” recently sold for $250m……how do you like them apples !

For more stories about art join me for a highlights tour of the National Gallery or Tate Britain or Tate Modern where there is currently a Cezanne exhibition.

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18/01/2023

This day in London history, 18th January 1892, was the wedding day of poet Rudyard Kipling, writer of the Jungle Book who previously lived on Villiers St, Charing Cross. Although largely forgotten these days and often written off as a jingoistic Little Englander, Kipling was triumphantly successful in his lifetime and as the first ever Englishman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature (1907) is buried at Poets Corner next to Charles Dickens in Westminster Abbey.
However both his children died young and after a dreadful married life he himself died on the 70th anniversary of his wedding in 1936. Making it all the more appropriate that he is best remembered for the words from Britain’s favourite poem “If” which are displayed above the entrance to Centre Court at Wimbledon: “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same”

For more thought-provoking links and stories on the streets of London email me to book a tour: [email protected]

17/01/2023

On this day in history 17th January 1920 the Volstews Act introduced the ultimate Dry January.

Prohibition of “intoxicating liquor” began in the USA on this day 103 years ago. “Intoxicating liquor” was defined as anything at or above 0.5% alcohol by volume. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution took effect at 00:01 on 17th Jan. At 00:59 a.m. in Chicago $100,000 of whiskey was stolen from a train, ushering in 13 years of bonanza for organised crime. Maybe it will make drinking that low alcohol beer for “Dry January” more bearable for you knowing that you would have been breaking the law a century ago. Personally I’ll stick to London Pride. Cheers !

For more fun and booze-related stories why not book me for one of my historic pub crawls. See website or email me on [email protected]

12/10/2022

On this day in London history we remember Edith Cavell who was shot by German firing squad on 12th October 1915. In 1896 Edith began training as a nurse at the London Hospital, worked at the St Pancras, Poor Law Institute for Destitutes, and in 1903 was assistant Matron at Shoreditch Infirmary. In 1907 she moved to Brussels and set up a training course for nurses. When the German invasion began in the First World War her nursing school became a front for the escape lines for Allied soldiers. She was eventually arrested and sentenced to death. On her last day her words to the visiting chaplain were: “I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness to anyone”. The words which appear on her statue just next to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.

For more stories on the streets of London Jon me for a private walking tour.
Email [email protected]

10/10/2022

On this day in London history 10th October 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (in Manchester) and she is now commemorated by this statue outside the Houses of Parliament in London. This “suffragette” movement campaigning for Votes for Women was eventually successful in 1928.
The colours adopted by the WSPU in 1908 were green, purple and white. Surely it can’t be coincidental that the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon adopted the very same colours in 1909 ?

For more historical connections on the streets of London join me for a private walking tour.
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08/10/2022