The
area began to be developed in the 17th century
by the Earl of Southampton. One of his developments
was what is now Bloomsbury Square and was originally
known as Southampton Square. Around this time
the original Bedford House appeared, as did Tavistock
House where Dickens later settled for a few years.
The University College London was founded in 1826,
and soon after other University of London buildings
started to appear around Bloomsbury. Much later
(1932) came the rather fearsome looking Senate
House, which was the Ministry of Information in
World War Two, and subsequently became George
Orwell's inspiration for the Ministry of Truth
in 1984. The early 20th century saw the rise of
the Bloomsbury Group. |
