Russell Square

Holborn (WC2) Named after John Russell, first Earl of Bedford. Here, at No. 21, Sir Samuel Romilly died by his own hand. Sir Thomas Lawrence lived for a quarter of a century at No. 65. In The Gentleman's Magazine the Rev. John Mitford notes: "We shall never forget the Cossacks, mounted on their small white horses, with their long spears grounded, standing sentinels at the door of this great painter, whilst he was painting the portrait of their General, Platoff" (1818) . (Reference: Timbs's Curiosities of London, p. 752)