Title: New buildings of Burlington House, 1873

Creator: Unknown

Description: Illustration of the new buildings of Burlington House, Piccadilly, taken from ‘The Illustrated London News’, 10 May 1873.

The Geological Society had a number of homes in its first few decades, before settling in Somerset House (alongside many of the other London learned societies) in 1828 and finally moving to Burlington House in 1874.

The original Burlington House was built by Sir John Denham for his new bride in 1665 but after her early death it was sold to Richard Boyle, first Earl of Burlington, in 1668. Between 1715-1722, the third Earl had the house reconstructed in the Palladian style which we see today. The property then passed to the Cavendish family in the mid 18th century and was eventually purchased by the Government in 1854 with the express purpose of housing the learned societies close to the Royal Academy to encourage interchange between the arts and sciences.

Additional accommodation was provided in the West and East wings and gateway blocks enclosing the courtyard, which were completed to the designs of architects Charles Barry and Robert Richardson Banks between 1869-1873. The exterior of the Grade II* listed building is of Portland Stone (Upper Jurassic).

Date: 10 May 1873

Format: Engraving

Archive reference: GSL/PH/3/1

Image reference: 25-16

Recommended print size: Up to 16 x 12 inches (40 x 30cm)