Bryanstone - A House with a History - The Crystal Palace Foundation

Have you ever wondered who lived in your house before you? D Holloway answers that question and more, taking you on a journey through the history of Bryanstone, the last remaining Victorian villa in Seymour Villas, Anerley, London SE20. Discover the fascinating details about its past, from the materials used in its construction to the lives of its former residents. This two-part book is a delightful blend of biography and social history, inspiring you to uncover the hidden secrets of your own home.

In Part 1, we meet the man who built Bryanstone, Mr Bryan, Master Builder, whose ‘lunatic’ son and business partner was Captain of South Norwood Fire Brigade. We also meet the villa’s 19th century residents… Mr Heath, Freemason, wine merchant and stockbroker, whose disappearance prompted the Insurance Office to advertise a £2 reward for information on his whereabouts. Mrs Bolton, alleged illegitimate daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Marshal of the Empire, whose great grandson patented the first battery-powered bicycle. Miss Bolton, school mistress, who converted Bryanstone into a private school. Mr Strachan and Miss Strachan, school master and school mistress, who created a ‘Kindergarten & Preparatory School’ and ‘School for Sons of Gentlemen’ within Bryanstone. Dr Daunt, Physician and Surgeon of St George’s Hospital, London, who wrote a letter to The Lancet about ‘asparagus at dinner parties’.

In Part 2, we meet the villa’s 20th century residents… Professor Wyatt, solo organist of the Crystal Palace and the Royal Albert Hall, who made his mark as a successful composer and musician in the USA. Mr Tottingham, Master Builder and Master Plumber, who acted with his family in the 1911 Pageant of London at the Crystal Palace. Mr Randell, printer’s warehouseman and builder’s assistant, who constructed a model ship named the ‘SS Anerley’. Mr Holloway, Master Builder and Master Carpenter, who married the granddaughter of a transported convict and was called upon to stand guard over an Anerley murderer.

This distinctive limited edition set of two A4 size hardback volumes, with integral page marker ribbons, headbands and black endpapers, comprises over 1,200 pages, with more than 1,000 images. Interspersed with family trees, photographs, census returns, registration documents, maps, letters, historical and contemporary newspaper articles, this book is written by a local author and is sold exclusively by the Crystal Palace Foundation.