The Strand: Exeter Hall

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Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of the Strand with a mention of Exeter Hall:

Exeter Street and Hall (north) preserve the name of Exeter House, built by Lord Burleigh.

It was at first Cecil House, but on the succession of his eldest son, the Earl of Exeter, elder brother of Sir Robert Cecil, it became Exeter House.

Afterwards the house was used by Doctors of Ecclesiastical Law, etc, and later was converted into an exchange, at first designed for the sale of fancy goods, but later famous for an exhibition of wild beasts.

The body of Gay the poet rested in this Exchange before being interred in Westminster Abbey.

Exeter Hall was erected in 1830 for the purpose of religious meetings.

Exeter Street will always be associated with the name of Dr. Johnson, who took lodgings here when he came up to London first, and dined at a neighbouring cookshop for eightpence.

Next: The Strand: The Beefsteak Society