Site: Botanists in Soho Square (2 memorials)
W1, Soho Square, 31-32
The blue plaque was erected on the historic house. When that was demolished and replaced with the large 1930s block, the inscribed stone was erected as a sort of replacement.
In our photo the Botanists inscription is above the right-most potted scrub. Incidentally, this photograph of the building catches a typical London sight - a van driver trying to escape before the uniformed warden completes his parking ticket.
Banks’ library and collection was held here 1777 – 1827. Banks himself lived here from August 1777 and spent at least part of each year here, possibly until he died in 1820.
Robert Brown and David Don were respectively and consecutively librarians for Banks and the Linnean Society, which met here 1821 - 57.
The current (2025) building was formerly known as Twentieth Century House since it was the HQ of 20th Century Fox.
2025: for a covered alley through this site, between Soho Square and Dean Street.
