Streets of London – Leicester Square, Leicester Place circa 1812

Leicester Square, Leicester Place, London circa 1812
from The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics

“This square derives its name from a house once the town residence of the Sydneys, Earls of Leicester, from whom also Sydney’s-court or alley, at the north-west corner of the square, received its appellation. […] Leicester House, Leicester Square, purchased of Portman Seymour, Esq. for £6,000. [George II] resided till 1727, when he ascended the throne, and Leicester House became the residence of Frederic, Prince of Wales. […] After his death it was occupied by the Princess Dowager, the mother of his present Majesty, till her removal to Carlton House. Since the commencement of the present reign, Leicester House has been pulled down, and the site of it converted into a street called Leicester-place.” The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics, 1812.