A learned neighbourhood
Old Somerset House and new - 1798Of all the proposals, the Strand development permitted students and staff to enjoy the benefit of a central location close to numerous learned societies and academies where they might attend lectures, exchange ideas and observe the latest scientific experiments and anatomical demonstrations.
The Royal Society, Society of Antiquaries and Royal Academy of Arts were situated in Somerset House. The Royal College of Surgeons and Charing Cross Hospital were close at hand.
Other institutions of learning within a mile or so included Guy's and St Thomas's Hospitals, The Royal Institution, The Society of Apothecaries and the famous Hunterian School of Medicine in Great Windmill Street, Soho. Exeter Hall - a meeting place for religious, scientific and literary societies - opened in 1830.
The Strand was also home to many scientific and musical instrument makers, booksellers, publishers and specialist tradesmen with which the College did business.
In this exhibition
- Foundation
- The site
- Proposals for a site
- The grant of land
- Medieval King's
- Somerset House
- The Strand environs
- A learned neighbourhood
- A poor neighbourhood
- Local life
- The building
- Staff and students
- College life