The Strand

A Biography

Geoff Browell, Eileen Chanin

$112.95 $90.75

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Manchester University Press
01 March 2025

The first history of one of London's most extraordinary streets.

Running along the Thames's northern shore and spanning three-quarters of a mile from Trafalgar Square to Temple Bar, the Strand has been a witness to London's growth and change from the earliest years of the city's existence.

In The Strand: A biography, Geoff Browell and Eileen Chanin uncover the deep history of this remarkable street. Tracing its origins in the Roman era, they reveal how it grew in importance as authority shifted from church to aristocracy, then to commerce, media and law. Over time, everything that mattered converged on the Strand: tradition and ceremony clashed with rebellion and destitution. By 1910, the street was known as the 'centre of the world'.

Drawing on remarkable archival discoveries, Browell and Chanin present the most complete and compelling history of the Strand ever written. Filled with surprising, untold stories, The Strand: A biography is a must-read for lovers of one of the world's greatest cities.

By: Geoff Browell, Eileen Chanin
Imprint: Manchester University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781526179111
ISBN 10: 1526179113
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 01 March 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Geoff Browell is Head of Archives and Research Collections at King's College London. He is also chair of AIM25, a charitable consortium of the archives of 150 cultural organisations in London. He leads historical tours of King's and is the editor of Strandlines, a digital community dedicated to exploring lives on the Strand. Eileen Chanin is a Sydney-based historian and writer. She is the author of nine books, including Capital Designs: Australia House and Visions of an Imperial London (2020). Her interest in the Strand and its many facets deepened as a Visiting Fellow of King's College London.

Reviews for The Strand: A Biography

'An engaging and instructive approach to urban history and more particularly that of London, and a book that gave me great pleasure.' Jeremy Black, author of A History of London 'A fascinating exploration of the ever-changing face of London. The Strand combines rigorous scholarship with a rich tapestry of stories, packed with details to surprise and delight. The result is a joy to read.' Alice Loxton, author of Uproar! Satire, scandal and printmakers in Georgian London 'An essential biography of one of London’s key thoroughfares, from its Roman origins to the twenty-first century. The focus upon both changing buildings and personalities, as well as the placing of the Strand in its wider London environment, make this an innovative and readable book.' Panikos Panayi, author of Migrant City: A New History of London -- .