History of 19-23 Abercromby Square
The School of the Arts EDI Committee, led by Dr Fei Chen, presents the permanent exhibition ’A History of 19-23 Abercromby Square’ as part of the School’s commitment to the principles of equality diversity and inclusion.
Funded by the Faculty of Humaities and Social Sciences, the exhibition features selected residents of 19-23 Abercromby Square since the buildings' construction in the 1820s onwards, until the 1920s when they became parts of the University.
The exhibition employed EDI principles in the selection of residents to not only represent white men's perspectives, but also perspectives of women and people from minority groups and lower social classes at the time. The exhibition links the residents' stories with many key local, national and international events.
Origin of the Square
For the families of the gentlemen or merchants, new spacious residences were sought which would reflect their growing wealth and social standing among their peers.
Liverpool as a centre of trade in the 19th century
Designed by John Foster Senior and adapted by William Culshaw, Abercromby Square began construction in the 1820s.
Context of the Square
The psychiatric hospital, known as the ‘Lunatic Asylum’, was erected on Ashton Street, a few streets to the north of Abercromby Square in 1829 and remained in use until 1881 when it was converted for the use of University College Liverpool.
Perils of the sea
The Napoleonic wars of the late 18th and early 19th century caused trade and economic disruption in Britain.
Inherence, wealth and disease
The African Company of Merchants was managed by the African Committee, which was composed of nine committee members, three each from London, Liverpool, and Bristol.
James Newlands
James Newlands was born in Edinburgh in 1813, the son of a ropemaker. He attended Edinburgh University and gradually practiced as an architect.
Liverpool and the American Civil War
The Old Hebrew Congregation was formed around 1780. By 1806, the congregation had acquired the synagogue in Seel Street on land received as a gift from the Liverpool municipality, and a synagogue was erected in 1807-8.
19 Abercromby Square
In 1862, Charles Prioleau hired an architect and built a large town house at 19 AS, incorporating many South Carolina features and decorations.
The Church and the Square
The Industrial Revolution had resulted in an increasing number of people living in cities with few churches to cater for their religious needs. The rise in dissenter denominations, such as Methodism, was seen as further evidence of this shortfall.
Service in the Square
The sheer size of the houses of Abercromby Square required an army of servants. Servants in the area tended to be female and between the ages of 15 and 49. The number of women employed in this area was above average for England and Wales.
The First World War
By the beginning of the 20th century the population of Liverpool reached 700,000. The population had increased as people came to the city seeking employment opportunities. Home to wealthy merchants and industrialists, Liverpool at the beginning of the War was also home to a large number of poor working-class families.