The Barbican Centre (1980-02-10/1980-02-10) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Who are the Barbican buildings named after?
The lower, non-tower blocks of Barbican flats are all referred to as Houses. The three covered in these brochures are named after two famous writers and a successful furniture maker, all with links to the area.
Barbican Estate Sales Brochure - Page 34/35 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre
Who are the Barbican buildings named after?
This booklet page explains the idea of naming the buildings after famous men with connections to the area. The fact that they were all men, all white, says much about attitudes at the time.
Seddon House: Sales Brochure - Page 1/11 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre
Seddon House
The Seddon family ran a large furniture-making business in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, at one point employing at least four hundred people in a workshop-cum-showroom on Aldersgate Street. Some of their work is in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Seddon House
Seddon House runs North-South, with a corridor the length of each floor. Though it is only seven stories high, it still has luxurious, double-height penthouses at the top.
An example of a piece of furniture made by Seddon and Sons
Defoe House: Sales Brochure - Page 1/10 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre
Defoe House
Defoe House is named after the writer Daniel Defoe (1660-1731). Though he is often credited with inventing the English novel, he also tried his hand at various businesses, going spectacularly bankrupt, and worked as a spy.
Defoe House
His most famous book is probably the story of shipwreck and survival Robinson Crusoe, though others are more directly focused on London.
Ben Jonson House: Sales Brochure - Page 1/11 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre
Ben Jonson House
Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was a poet and contemporary of William Shakespeare, commemorated over at Shakespeare Tower. After spells as a bricklayer and as a soldier, Jonson began a career acting and writing for the theatre.
Ben Jonson House
His plays were staged in various London theatres, including the Fortune Theatre on Golden Lane, just to the North of the Barbican.
Ben Jonson House
Though only seven stories high, Ben Jonson House is the longest block in the Barbican.
Tap to explore
The House opens on to an area of the podium called Ben Jonson Place. There are gardens and benches, including two sculptures.
Tap to explore
One of the sculptures features two dolphins incorporated into a fountain, which is by John Ravera (1941-2006). Use Streetview to see Ben Jonson Place today, including the dolphin fountain on the right.
