Bryn Mawr College Library Special Collections
Books on London
History
Although many works listed here incorporate other topics such
as architecture, social life, economics, and politics, or could serve as guides,
all of these books have 
history
as their primary focus, either the general history of London or the more specific
history of one of its parts.
The collection's histories of the British capitol begin with John Stow's original 1598 edition of A Svrvay of London. Stow, a London-born chronicler and antiquarian who started out as a tailor, was the first author to expressly treat the city--its history, antiquities and government. Methodically traversing the streets of London and its suburbs, the Svrvay provides descriptions and anecdotes of every aspect of the city from its churches to its inns and alehouses, description that is enlivened by many personal recollections, both of the author and other earlier writers. Stow's account preserves in minute detail the buildings, social conditions and customs of London before memory of the profound changes effected by the reformation of the national religion faded, as well as before much of the city was destroyed by the Great Fire. Numerous editions of the Svrvay were published over the years, often undergoing substantial and at times questionable editing. These later editions also typically include illustrations and maps not found in the original. With the exception of the second, Bryn Mawr owns all the major editions of Stow, including that of 1720 edited by John Strype.
Stow's
model of walking the city of London--history as walking tour--has stood as
the foundation for all those historians who have followed him on the same
subject, even into the twentieth century. Among the more prominent histories
found in the Books on London collection that are based on this model are James
Howell's Londinopolis (1657; said to be largely borrowed from Stow),
Thomas De Laune's Angliae Metropolis (1690), John Entick's New and
Accurate History and Survey of London (1766), William Maitland's History
of London from Its Foundation to the Present Time (1769), Henry Chamberlain's
Compleat History and Survey of London (1770), John Noorthouck's New
History of London (1773), and Thomas Pennant's History and Antiquities
of London (1814), a new edition of his History of London. Not all
of these authors were Londoners, and none were historians in today's sense
of the word. Howell, a writer and son of a Welsh clergyman, held a variety
of employments, including factory administrator, secretary and instructor;
De Laune was an Irish Catholic who became a Baptist and wrote a religious
tract, for which he died in prison; and Pennant was a distinguished Welsh
intellectual and naturalist who, in addition to publishing tours and topographic
works, popularized and promoted the study of natural history. While most of
their works have a political or social focus, Noorthouck is the first to study
London's history from an economic point of view, claiming that it was in fact
commerce that gave birth to English liberty and that they have mutually advanced
each other ever since.
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries a shift in historiography
took place, in which history developed into an academic discipline and profession
and at the same time histories were now written for popular reading--more
chronological narrative than walking tour. Mirroring this shift are the various
histories of London, both general and specific, written by Sir Walter Besant,
popular London novelist, scholar and social reformer. Bryn Mawr's collection
includes: London (1892), Mediaeval London (1906), Early London:
Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman (1908), and London South of the
Thames (1912). Interestingly, Besant began work on his own Survey of
London, which was intended to do for modern London what Stow did for the
Elizabethan city, but which was unfortunately left unfinished. The collection
contains several books dealing with more specific aspects of London's history,
which also indicate this new type of historiography: George Clinch's Mayfair
and Belgravia (1892); The History of the Squares of London (1907)
and The Annals of Fleet Street (1912) by London historian E. Beresford
Chancellor; Edgar Fay's entertaining Why Piccadilly? The Story of the Names
of London (1935); and London West of the Bars (1951) by writer,
editor and book critic, Wilfrid Douglas Newton.
Allen, Thomas, 1803-1833
The history and antiquities of London, Westminister, Southwark, and parts
adjacent
London, Cowie & Strange, 1927-37
I36068445
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
Early London : prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and Norman / by Sir Walter Besant
London : A. & C. Black, 1908
I34732482
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
London city / by Sir Walter Besant
London : A. & C. Black, 1910
I34732445
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
London in the eighteenth century / by Sir Walter Besant
London : A. and C. Black, 1925
I34732469
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
London in the nineteenth century / by Sir Walter Besant
London : A. & C. Black, 1909
I34732500
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
London in the time of the Stuarts / by Sir Walter Besant
London : A. & C. Black, 1903
I34732457
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
London, by Walter Besant .
New York, Harper & brothers, 1892
DA678 .B55 1892
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
Mediaeval London / by Sir Walter Besant
London : A. and C. Black, 1906
I34732470
Chamberlain, Henry
A compleat history and survey of London : Westminster, Southwark, &
co
[London, 1770]
fDA677.C5 1770
Chamberlain, Henry, fl. 1770
A new and compleat history and survey of the cities of London and Westminster,
the borough of Southwark, and parts adjacent ...
London : Printed for J. Cooke, [1771]
I34736372
Cruchley, G. F.
Cruchley's picture of London : comprising the history, rise, and progress
of the metropolis to the present period
London : G.F. Cruchley, 1840
I30968288 (d?)
De Laune, Thomas, d. 1685
Angliae metropolis: or, The present state of London: with memorials comprehending
a full and succinct account of the ancient and modern state thereof ... /
First written by ... Tho. Delavne, gent. and continued to this present year
by a careful hand
London, Printed by G. L. for J. Harris and T. Howkins, 1690
I37194483
Entick, John, 1703?-1773
A new and accurate history and survey of London, Westminster, Southwark,
and places adjacent; containing whatever is most worthy of notice in their
ancient and present state ... with the charters, laws, customs, rights, liberties
and privileges of this great metropolis ... By the Rev. John Entick, M.A
London, E. and C. Dilly, MDCCLXVI
I31656845
Gomme, George Laurence, 1853-1916
The making of London, by Laurence Gomme
Oxford, The Clarendon press, 1912
DA677 .G6 1912
Heylyn, Peter, 1600-1662
A help to English history: containing a succession of all the kings of
England ... the kings and princes of Wales; the kings and lords of Man: and
the isle of Wight. As also of all the dukes, marquises, earls and bishops
thereof ... Together with the names and ranks of the viscounts, barons, and
baronets, of England / By Peter Heylyn ... And since his death continued,
with great additions, to the first day of November, 1773. With the coats of
arms of the nobility ... lists of the extinct viscounts and barons: also,
The praetorian banner displayed; or, The arms of all the lord mayors of London
... with acomplete list of the said magistrates: now first published, by Paul
Wright .
London : Printed for the editor, sold by Mr. Bathurst [etc.], 1773
942 H516h
Howell, James, 1594?-1666
Londinopolis, an historicall discourse; or, Perlustration of the city of
London, the imperial chamber, and chief emporium of Great Britain, whereunto
is added another of the city of Westminster, with the courts of justice, antiquities,
and new buildings thereunto belonging, by Jam Howel
London, Printed by J. Streater for H. Twilford, G. Sawbridge, T. Dring,
and J. Place, are to be sold at their shops, 1657
DA681 .H85 1657
Hunt, Leigh, 1784-1859
The town : its memorable characters and events / by Leigh Hunt ; St. Paul's
to St. James's ; with forty-five illustrations
London : Smith, Elder, 1848
fDA677 .H93 1848
Hunt, Leigh, 1784-1859
The town; its memorable characters and events. St. Paul's to St. James's.
By Leigh Hunt. With forty-five illustrations
London, Smith, Elder, and Co., 1848
DA677 .H93 1848b
Hunter, Henry, 1741-1802
The history of London, and its environs: containing an account of the origin
of the city; its state under the Romans, Saxons, Danes, and Normans; its rise
and progress to its present state of commercial greatness. Likewise an account
of all the towns, villages, and country, within twenty-five miles of London.
By the late Rev. Henry Hunter, D.D. and other gentlemen
London, Printed for J. Stockdale, by S. Gosnell, 1811
I34746365
Hutchings, W. W
London town past and present, with a chapter on The future in London by
Ford Madox Hueffer
London, New York [etc.] Cassell, 1909
I34732512
Jesse, John Heneage, 1815-1874
London : its celebrated characters and remarkable places / J. Heneage Jesse
London : R. Bentley, 1871
DA677 .J63 1871b
Jesse, John Heneage, 1815-1874
London, its celebrated characters and remarkable places / J. Heneage Jesse
London : R. Bentley, 1871
DA677 .J63 1871
Knight, Charles, 1791-1873, ed
London. Ed. by Charles Knight
London, H. G. Bohn, 1851
I37202030
Lethaby, W. R. (William Richard), 1857-1931
London before the conquest, by W. R. Lethaby
London, New York, Macmillan, 1902
I36068378
Lysons, Daniel, 1762-1834
The environs of London : being an historical account of the towns, villages,
and hamlets within twelve miles of that capital : interspersed with biographical
anecdotes / by Daniel Lysons
London : Printed by A. Strahan for T. Cadell, 1792-96
fDA677 .L99 1792
Maitland, William, 1693?-1757
The history of London from its foundation to the present time... : including
the several parishes in Westminster, Middlesex, Southwark, &c., with the
bills of mortality / by William Maitland ; illustrated with a complete set
of the churches, palaces, publick buildings, hospitals, bridges, &c. within
and adjacent to this great metropolis...and improved.
London : Printed by assignment from T. Osborne for J. Wilkie, T. Lowndes,
G. Kearsly and S. Bladon, 1769
ffDA677 .M234 1769
Mazzinghi, Giovanni
Histoire de l'antiquite et de l'etat present de Londres, de Westminster,
et du bourg de Southwark : contenant un guide pour les batimens publics et
particuliers de la metropole : a la quelle est ajoute, un abrege de l'histoire
de l'isle de Bretagne, des Tems les plus recules, jusqua l'invasion, la conquete,
et la fin de la jurisdiction des Romains / par Jean Mazzinghi
London : C. Dilly & J. Owen, 1793
DA679 .M3 1793
Noorthouck, John, 1746?-1816
A new history of London, including Westminster and Southwark, to which
is added, a general survey of the whole, describing the public buildings,
late improvements, &c., illustrated with copper plates, by John Noorthouck
London, Printed for R. Baldwin, 1773
DA677 .N81 1773
Pennant, Thomas, 1726-1798
The history and antiquities of London / by Thomas Pennant
London : Printed for E. Jeffery by B. McMillan, 1814
fDA677 .P4 1814
Percy, Sholto, 1788-1852
London : or, Interesting memorials of its rise, progress, and present state
/ by Sholto and Reuben Percy ..
London : printed for Thomas Boys, 1824
Uncat 8981
R. B., 1632?-1725?
Historical remarks on the ancient and present state of the cities of London
and Westminster. With an account of the most considerable occurrences, revolutions
and transactions, as to wars, fires, plagues &c. which have happened in
and about these cities for above nine hundred years past, till the year 1681.
By Richard Burton [pseud.]
Westminster, Printed for M. Stace, 1810
I34746304
Stow, John, 1525?-1605
A survay of London : contayning the originall, antiquity, increase, moderne
estate, and description of that citie / written in the year 1598; ed. by Henry
Morley
London, 1890
I36061803
Stow, John, 1525?-1605
A survey of the cities of London and Westminster, borough of Southwark,
and parts adjacent ... : Being an improvement of Mr. Stow's, and other surveys,
by adding whatever alterations have happened in the said cities, &c. to
the present year ... / By Robert Seymour, esq. [pseud.] ..
London : Printed for T. Read, 1733-35
f914.21 St7s Ed.1733
Stow, John, 1525?-1605
A survey of the cities of London and Westminster: containing the original,
antiquity, increase, modern estate and government of those cities. Written
at first in the year 1598. By John Stow. Corrected, improved, and very much
enlarged by John Strype. Illustrated with exact maps of the city and suburbs,
and of all the wards; and likewise of the out-parishes of London and Westminster:
together with draughts of the more eminent and publick edifices and monuments.
To which is prefixed, the life of the author, writ by the editor. At the end
is added, an appendix of certain tracts, discourses and remarks, concerning
the state of the city of London. Together with a perambulation or circuit-walk
four or five miles round about London, to the parish churches: describing
the monuments of the dead there interred: with other antiquities observable
in those places
London, Printed for A. Churchill [etc.] 1720
I34746250
Stow, John, 1525?-1605
A svrvay of London : contayning the originall, antiquity, increase, moderne
estate, and description of that citie : written in the yeare 1598 / by Iohn
Stow. Also an apologie (or defence) against the opinion of some men, concerning
that citie, the greatnesse thereof : with an appendix, containing in Latine,
Libellum de situ & nobilitate Londini, written by William Fitzstephen,
in the raigne of Henry the Second
London : Imprinted by Iohn Wolfe, Printer to the honorable citie of London,
and are to be sold at his shop within the Popes head Alley in Lombard street,
1598
DA680 .S87 1598
Stow, John, 1525?-1605
The history and survey of the cities of London and Westminster, borough
of Southwark, and parts adjacent ... By R. Seymour, esq. [pseud.] and J. Marachant,
gent.
London : Printed for M. Cooper..., 1754
I34732408
Stow, John, 1525?-1605
The survey of London: contayning the orignall, increase, moderne estate,
and government of that city, methodically set downe. With a memoriall of those
famouser acts of charity, which for publike and pious uses have beene bestowed
by many worshipfull citizens and benefactors. Begunne first by the paines
and industry of Iohn Stovv, in the yeere 1598. Afterwards inlarged by the
care and diligence of A. M. in the yeere 1618. And now completely finished
by the study and labour of A. M., H. D. and others, this present yeere 1633.
Whereunto, besides many additions (as appeares by the contents) are annexed
divers alphabeticall tables
London, Printed by Elizabeth Pvrslovv, and are to be sold by N. Bovrne,
1633
I34746262
Stow, John, 1525?-1605
The svrvay of London : containing, the originall, antiquitie, encrease,
and more moderne estate of the sayd famous citie. As also, the rule and gouernment
thereof (both ecclesiasticall and temporall) from time to time. With a briefe
relation of all the memorable monuments, and other especiall obseruations,
both in and about the same citie / Written in the yeere 1598. by Iohn Stow
... Since then, continued, corrected and much enlarged ..
London : Printed by G. Purslowe, 1618
914.21 St7
Welch, Charles, 1848-1924
Modern history of the city of London; a record of municipal and social
progress, from 1760 to the present day. By Charles Welch... With illustrations
drawn and selected by Philip Norman, F.S.A
London, Blades, East & Blades, 1896
I3474633x
Wheatley, Henry Benjamin, 1838-1917
London, past and present : its history, associations, and traditions
London : John Murray, 1891
Uncat 1389
Great chronicle of London The Great chronicle of London / edited by A.
H. Thomas ... and I. D. Thornley ..
London : Printed by G. W. Jones at the sign of the Dolphin, 1938
q942.1 G79
Barratt, Thomas J., 1841-1914
The annals of Hampstead, by Thomas J. Barratt ... with over five hundred
illustrations
London, A. and C. Black, 1912
fDA690.H198 B2 1912
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
London south of the Thames / by Sir Walter Besant
London : A. & C. Black, 1912
I34732494
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
South London / by Sir Walter Besant, with an etching by Francis S. Walker,
R. E. and 119 illustrations
New York : Frederick A. Stokes company, [c1898]
DA685 .S65 B4 1898
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901
Westminster / by Sir Walter Besant ... With 130 illustrations by William
Patten and others
New York : F. A. Stokes co., [c1895]
DA685.W5 B5 1895
Bryan, George
Chelsea in the olden & present times / by George Bryan
Chelsea : The author, 1869
DA685.C5 B9 1869
Chancellor, E. Beresford (Edwin Beresford), 1868-1937
Memorials of St. James's street : together with The annals of Almack's
/ by E. Beresford Chancellor
New York : Brentano's, 1922
DA685.S143 C4 1922
Chancellor, E. Beresford (Edwin Beresford), 1868-1937
The annals of Fleet Street, its traditions & associations, by E. Beresford
Chancellor
New York, F. A. Stokes [1912?]
DA685.F5 C5 1912b
Chancellor, E. Beresford (Edwin Beresford), 1868-1937
The annals of the Strand, topographical and historical
New York, Frederick A. Stokes [n.d.]
DA685.S8 C5 1900
Chancellor, E. Beresford (Edwin Beresford), 1868-1937
The history of the squares of London : topographical & historical /
by E. Beresford Chancellor ; with thirty-six illustrations
London : K. Paul, Trench, Trubner, 1907
DA689.S7 C5 1907
Clinch, George, 1860-1921
Mayfair and Belgravia: being an historical account of the parish of St.
George, Hanover square. By George Clinch ... With numerous illustrations
London, Truslove & Shirley, 1892
I34732524
Faulkner, Thomas, 1777-1855
An historical and topographical description of Chelsea and its environs;
interspersed with biographical anecdotes of illustrious and eminent persons
who have resided in Chelsea during the three preceding centuries
London, Printed by J. Tilling for T. Egerton [and others] 1810
DA685.C5 F2 1810
Fay, Edgar
Why Piccadilly? The story of the names of London, by E. Stewart Fay
London, Methuen & co., ltd. [1935]
DA689.S9 F3 1935
Hair, John
Regent Square : Eighty Years of a London Congregation
London : James Nisbet, 1898
Uncat 7302
Newcourt, Richard, d. 1716
Repertorium ecclesiasticum parochiale londinense : an ecclesiatical parochial
history of the diocese of London: containing an account of the bishops of
that Sea, from the first foundation thereof: also, of the Deans, Archdeacona,
Dignitaries and Prebendaries ..
London : Printed by B. Motte, 1708-1710
Uncat f1260
Newton, Wilfrid Douglas, 1884-1951
London west of the Bars
London, R. Hale [1951]
DA677 .N4 1951
Povah, Alfred, b. 1823 or 4
The annals of the parishes of St. Olave Hart Street and Allhallows Staining,
in the City of London
London : Blades, 1894
Uncat f783
Robins, William, of Paddington, Eng
Paddington: past and present, by William Robins
Camden Town [Eng.], Printed for the author by A. & W. Hall [1853]
DA685.P2 R6 1853
Tanswell, John, 1800-1864
The history and antiquities of Lambeth / By John Tanswell .
London : F. Pickton, 1858
Uncat 7321
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Historical / Physical
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Social / Cultural
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