Door, front door

This door comes from number 8 Bolwell Terrace, the birthplace of legendary Victorian composer Sir Arthur Sullivan, saved from destruction by Spike Milligan. No. 8 Beat. Situated just off Lambeth Walk, Bolwell Terrace were simple but respectable homes built on the land of George Bolwell Davidge (1793-1842) as part of the redevelopment of the area. Arthur's Irish parents, Thomas and Mary Clementina and his elder brother Frederick became number 8's first tenants in 1838. Unfortunately the £20 a year rent was too much for clarinet teacher Thomas. By 1841 the Sullivans were sharing the house with another music teacher, his wife and child. Arthur Sullivan was born in this crowded house on 13 May 1842 and lived here until he was around 3 years old. His father then took a position as Bandmaster at the Royal Military College. This came with accomodation, giving the family much needed financial stability. Bolwell Terrace (later renamed Bolwell Street) was damaged in the Second World War and demolished between the 1950s and the 1970s as part of the Lambeth Walk redevelopment. Comedian Spike Milligan's campaign to save Number 8 led to its front door coming to the Museum of London.