This quiet street tucked away behind the commercial buildings of the Strand is still lined with many of its original late 17th century houses and was once home to an astonishing array of famous people. Samuel Pepys lived here when he was Secretary to the Admiralty; and Henry Fielding, Charles Dickens and Samuel Taylor Coleridge all lodged here. Others ranged from a daughter of Oliver Cromwell to Sir Humphrey Davy who conducted experiments in a basement workshop. Some of the numerous artists were Charles Calvert, William Etty, Clarkson Stanfield and Arthur Rackham.
Philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau lodged at this house in 1766. It was later the office of J.T. Grein, the Dutch impresario who helped establish the modern theatre in London, and the home of numerous actors. In 1939 it became for 50 years the offices of formidable literary agent A.D. Peters. Two of his authors - E.M. Delafield and Alec Waugh - were billeted at the house during World War 2 and were to be found on the roofs of the Adelphi equipped with tin hats and stirrup-pumps, acting as air wardens.
