Wimpole Street
Encyclopedia
Wimpole Street is a street in central London
, England
. Located in the City of Westminster
, it is associated with private medical practice and medical associations. No. 1 Wimpole Street is an example of Edwardian baroque architecture, completed in 1912 by architect John Belcher
as the home of the Royal Society of Medicine
. 64 Wimpole Street is the headquarters to the British Dental Association
.
Wimpole Street was home to a few celebrities, such as Paul McCartney
who lived at at the home of the Asher family at 57 Wimpole Street in 1964–1966 during his relationship with Jane Asher
. At this address John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' in the front basement room, while McCartney wrote the tune to 'Yesterday' in a box room at the top of the house.
. The most famous resident was the poet Elizabeth Barrett
, who lived at 50 Wimpole Street with her family from 1838 until 1846 when she eloped with Robert Browning
. The street became famous from the play based on their courtship, The Barretts of Wimpole Street
. The play starred Katherine Cornell, and when she retired, she moved to E. 51st St. in New York
. As she was now neighbor to two other actors who also starred in the play, the street was nicknamed "Wimpole Street".
The street was also given as the address of Henry Higgins by Bernard Shaw in his play Pygmalion
and in the musical adaptation My Fair Lady
, 27a is given as the address. 22a Wimpole Street is referenced in the Monty Python
sketch 'Secret Service Dentists'.
On the corner of Wimpole and Wigmore Street
took place a legal case about causing a "nuisance
" between neighbours, in Sturges v. Bridgman (1879).
In 1932, Paul Abbatt and Marjorie Abbatt
opened a toy
shop, Paul & Marjorie Abbatt Ltd, designed by their friend, the architect Ernő Goldfinger
, at 94 Wimpole Street. The shop was unique in that children were allowed to touch and play with the displayed toys.
The Prostate Centre
, a private men’s health clinic, is located at 32 Wimpole Street. The Prostate Centre
was officially opened in March 2006 by The Duchess of Gloucester, patron of Prostate UK (now Prostate Action), a charity based in London
.
Central London
Central London is the innermost part of London, England. There is no official or commonly accepted definition of its area, but its characteristics are understood to include a high density built environment, high land values, an elevated daytime population and a concentration of regionally,...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Located in the City of Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
, it is associated with private medical practice and medical associations. No. 1 Wimpole Street is an example of Edwardian baroque architecture, completed in 1912 by architect John Belcher
John Belcher (architect)
John Belcher was an English architect.Belcher was born in Southwark on 10 July 1841, London. His father of the same name was an established architect. The son was articled with his father, spending two years in France from 1862 where he studied contemporary architecture...
as the home of the Royal Society of Medicine
Royal Society of Medicine
The Royal Society of Medicine is a British charitable organisation whose main purpose is as a provider of medical education, running over 350 meetings and conferences each year.- History and overview :...
. 64 Wimpole Street is the headquarters to the British Dental Association
British Dental Association
The British Dental Association is the largest voluntary membership organisation for dentists in the UK.-Structure:The majority of the BDA’s 22,000 members are family dentists, working in general practice providing both National Health Service and private care...
.
Wimpole Street was home to a few celebrities, such as Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
who lived at at the home of the Asher family at 57 Wimpole Street in 1964–1966 during his relationship with Jane Asher
Jane Asher
Jane Asher is an English actress. She has also developed a second career as a cake decorator and cake shop proprietor.-Early life:...
. At this address John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' in the front basement room, while McCartney wrote the tune to 'Yesterday' in a box room at the top of the house.
. The most famous resident was the poet Elizabeth Barrett
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Her poetry was widely popular in both England and the United States during her lifetime. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband, Robert Browning, shortly after her death.-Early life:Members...
, who lived at 50 Wimpole Street with her family from 1838 until 1846 when she eloped with Robert Browning
Robert Browning
Robert Browning was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.-Early years:...
. The street became famous from the play based on their courtship, The Barretts of Wimpole Street
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
The Barretts of Wimpole Street is a 1934 American film depicting the real-life romance between poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning , despite the opposition of her father Edward Moulton-Barrett . The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture...
. The play starred Katherine Cornell, and when she retired, she moved to E. 51st St. in New York
51st Street (Manhattan)
51st Street is a long one-way street traveling east to west across Midtown Manhattan.-East 51st Street:*The route officially begins at Beekman Place which is on a hill overlooking FDR Drive...
. As she was now neighbor to two other actors who also starred in the play, the street was nicknamed "Wimpole Street".
The street was also given as the address of Henry Higgins by Bernard Shaw in his play Pygmalion
Pygmalion (play)
Pygmalion: A Romance in Five Acts is a play by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. Professor of phonetics Henry Higgins makes a bet that he can train a bedraggled Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, to pass for a duchess at an ambassador's garden party by teaching her to assume a veneer of...
and in the musical adaptation My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady is a musical based upon George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe...
, 27a is given as the address. 22a Wimpole Street is referenced in the Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
sketch 'Secret Service Dentists'.
On the corner of Wimpole and Wigmore Street
Wigmore Street
Wigmore Street is a street in the City of Westminster, in the West End of London, England. The street runs for about 600 yards parallel and to the north of Oxford Street between Portman Square to the west and Cavendish Square to the east....
took place a legal case about causing a "nuisance
Nuisance
Nuisance is a common law tort. It means that which causes offence, annoyance, trouble or injury. A nuisance can be either public or private. A public nuisance was defined by English scholar Sir J. F...
" between neighbours, in Sturges v. Bridgman (1879).
In 1932, Paul Abbatt and Marjorie Abbatt
Marjorie Abbatt
Marjorie Abbatt, née Norah Marjorie Cobb, nee Marjorie Josephine Cobb was an English toy maker and businesswoman....
opened a toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
shop, Paul & Marjorie Abbatt Ltd, designed by their friend, the architect Ernő Goldfinger
Erno Goldfinger
Ernő Goldfinger was a Hungarian-born Jewish architect and designer of furniture, and a key member of the architectural Modern Movement after he had moved to the United Kingdom.-Biography:Goldfinger was born in Budapest...
, at 94 Wimpole Street. The shop was unique in that children were allowed to touch and play with the displayed toys.
The Prostate Centre
The Prostate Centre
The Prostate Centre is a private men’s health clinic based in London’s Harley Street medical community. It is among the UK’s top centres for prostate care and treatment due to its team of specialist prostate surgeons, oncologists, physicians, radiologists and lifestyle therapists...
, a private men’s health clinic, is located at 32 Wimpole Street. The Prostate Centre
The Prostate Centre
The Prostate Centre is a private men’s health clinic based in London’s Harley Street medical community. It is among the UK’s top centres for prostate care and treatment due to its team of specialist prostate surgeons, oncologists, physicians, radiologists and lifestyle therapists...
was officially opened in March 2006 by The Duchess of Gloucester, patron of Prostate UK (now Prostate Action), a charity based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Notable residents
- Elizabeth Barrett BrowningElizabeth Barrett BrowningElizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Her poetry was widely popular in both England and the United States during her lifetime. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband, Robert Browning, shortly after her death.-Early life:Members...
- Jane AsherJane AsherJane Asher is an English actress. She has also developed a second career as a cake decorator and cake shop proprietor.-Early life:...
- Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
- Octavius WigramOctavius WigramOctavius Wigram was an English business man and ship owner in the City of London, a member of Lloyds and Governor of the Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation.-Life:...