Highbury Place

C.H. Matthews' drawing shows Highbury, north London. On the left is Highbury Fields and, on the right, are the terraced houses of Highbury Place.

During the late 18th century, Highbury Place was developed speculatively by John Spiller. Although many of its thirty-nine houses were, at first, unoccupied or let for low rents, the area soon became a very desirable location. By the time this drawing was made, Highbury Place was decidedly fashionable and leading figures such as John Nicholls, editor of 'The Gentleman's Magazine', and Abraham Newland, Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, had homes there.