The history of the London square begins in 1631 with the great name of Inigo Jones, whose houses and church in Covent Garden were both started in that year. Lincolns Inn Fields followed from 1638, though Southampton (now Bloomsbury) Square was the first to formally bear that name. Then the Georgian age ushered in the second great wave of square building. This stunning collection provides an alphabetical guide to all 578 historic London squares, whether large, small, famous, obscure, existing, or long vanished. For each there is a brief history, a description of the architecture, and some account of notable former residents; for many, an archive photograph or engraving (and for the major squares several). This comprehensive and unique study also includes an index and select bibliography.