BRIEF HISTORY DURING THE SNOW ERA (1813-58)

Originally named Kings Square, the square was laid out in 1685.  It became highly fashionable in 1689 when King William III created Kensington Palace. In 1837-51, John Stuart Mill, the British philosopher and economist known especially for his interpretations of empiricism and utilitarianism. lived at No. 18.  

Also residing on the square but from 1868-1904 was Sir John Simon (1816-1904, see figure).  When a London surgeon twenty years earlier, Simon was appointed the first Medical Officer of Health for the city of London.  He held this position during the time when John Snow did his seminal public health studies. Dr. Simon is prominent for having helped create a government department to administer public health in London, encourage scientific research, perfect the vaccination system, and supervise medical practitioners.  In 1855, he moved on to a similar role in central government.  Later in 1887, he was knighted.

Source: Weinreb B, Hibbert C (eds). The London Encyclopaedia, 1993.