George Canning (1770-1827), like William Huskisson, rode the wave of Britain's colonial expansion; he refused the post of Foreign Secretary in 1812, but became ambassador to Portugal, the president of the Indian Board, and was appointed Governor General of India in 1822. He seems to have resigned from every post he attained, but was finally appointed Prime Minister by King George IV in 1827 just months before his death. Canning also fancied himself as a poet - he was a friend of Sir Walter Scott and published a volume of his own poems in 1823. His son Charles Canning became first Viceroy of India and was effectively Britain's colonial Emperor over that country.

The view along Canning Street, from the top of the map towards Catharine Street. Looked at individually the houses are similar to many others in the area, but the repetition and scale of this terrace make it special.

This block is in good repair, and one or two of these houses have not been split into flats - these change hands at around three times the price of an average British suburban family home.

An ordinary British pillar box - except that this one bears the mark of King Edward VIII, who was king for just a few months before he was forced to abdicate in 1937. I wonder how many of these were installed across the country during those few short months? Our pillar box has recently received a coat of beautiful, glossy red paint. There'll be a new photo soon.

Ever wondered what's outside the frame?
Find out now, with a 360° panoramic movie
from this spot!

The later Victorian bay-windowed houses on the right intrude on this vista a little. It would seem  that construction paused before that side of Canning Street met up with Falkner Square. Between 1850 and 1890 the railways sparked the suburanisation of Britain, and the sort of people who clamoured for large, well-built town houses could now move out of the city and still be within 20 minutes of their business in the city centre.

Typical Ionic portico; 30 Canning Street - home
in 1906 to Madame Marie Andersen.

On the left is an extract from the Gore's directory of 1906, listing all the occupants of Canning Street, along with their occupations. They seem like a well-to-do bunch - several are listed as 'Gentleman'. Presumably they had no need of any other occupation!

Are you a Canning Street resident with something to contribute? - memories, photos, scandal?
Mail me, I'll put it on the page.