The Adelphi

In 1762 the Royal Society of Arts, whose premises are seen on the left was founded as a center for the promotion of Arts and Sciences. Among its original membership were such men of wit and ability as Horace Walpole, Thomas Chippendale, Joshua Reynolds, William Hogarth, Samuel Johnson and the Adams Brothers who built this area and called it The Adelphi. Below the level of this street, which runs at third-story levels, is an underworld of cellars, storage areas, workshops, warehouses, and service roads whose commerce and structure support the dwellings above. Both Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells lived in The Adelphi, and perhaps its stratified society had an influence on their works. London certainly now embarked upon an expansion which was to change its nature into that of a metropolitan community.