William Ewart 1798-1869 reformer lived here

In July 1863 Ewart addressed the House of Commons on the subject of London’s rich historical associations and suggested a scheme to inscribe ‘on those houses in London which have been inhabited by celebrated persons, the names of such persons’. From this simple idea was to come, with the enthusiastic support of Henry Cole, London's official commemorative plaque scheme, founded in 1866.