Among other notable inhabitants of the Square was William Beckford, who at one time resided at No. 22, where he surrounded himself with a collection of magnificent objects second only to his vast accumulations at Fonthill.
When Lord Nelson returned after the victory of the Nile, the Hamiltons were staying with Beckford in Grosvenor Square, and the victorious captain was a frequent and honoured guest.
According to Walford, on one of these visits it was here that an incident occurred which one would unfortunately regard as typical of the great naval captain's habitual temperament:
He was dining with Beckford on one occasion at a time of great shortage, when even the very rich denied themselves bread at dinner, and when even such an epicure as William Beckford was content to do without it. Lord Nelson, however, contrary to customary usage, requested bread at dinner, and was told by one of the servants that, owing to the scarcity of wheat, bread was not served at Beckford's table. Immediately, his Lordship, looking angry, drew a shilling from his pocket, called for his own servant and ordered him to go out and buy a loaf. He declared that, having fought for his bread, he thought it hard to be denied it by his own countrymen.