Plaque

Napoleon III

Erection date: 1867

Inscription

Napoleon III lived here, 1848.

{Almost hidden in the decorative border:}
Erected by the Society of Arts

Above the name an eagle is depicted.

Site: Napoleon III (1 memorial)

SW1, King Street, 1b - 1c

This is the oldest surviving official blue plaque, erected in 1867, and is the only one erected during a subject's lifetime.

2022: This house was for sale. The interior photos show a rather dull, out-of-date but up-market decor, but the blurb gives some interesting historical details: "Napoleon III escaped to England after a failed coup in 1840, and in 1847 took the lease on 1C King Street, transforming it into a tribute to his famous family, installing a portrait of Napoleon I by Delaroche and uniforms worn by his uncle in the large first floor drawing room. He became an honourary member of some of London's most exclusive clubs, and had an affair with heiress Harriet Howard, who funded his return to France. After the fall of the Bourbon monarchy in 1848, Napoleon III returned to France and was elected president a year later. He reportedly left his London home in haste, as there was still bath water in his tub, and his bed was unmade."

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Napoleon III

Subjects commemorated i

Napoleon III of France

Last monarch of France. Son of Louis Bonaparte (Napoleon I's brother) and Hor...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Napoleon III

Created by i

Royal Society of Arts

Founded by William Shipley as the "Society of Arts" in Rawthmell's Coffee Hou...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Royal Hospital Chelsea - north east wing

Royal Hospital Chelsea - north east wing

SW3, East Road, Light Horse Court

The names are listed at Killed at Royal Hospital Chelsea - WW1, and Killed at Royal Hospital Chelsea - WW2, respectively.

4 subjects commemorated
Ladywell Mineral Spring

Ladywell Mineral Spring

SE13, Ladywell Road, 148

This plaque was erected in 1984 or shortly after. Confusingly LondonNewsOnline has a photo of a blue plaque (otherwise identical) in the ...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Blow-up bridge

Blow-up bridge

NW1, towpath

'Blow-up' bridge At 3am on 2 October 1874, the boat 'Tilbury', carrying gunpowder to a quarry in the Midlands, exploded, demolishing the ...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Sir Henry Cole - SW7

Sir Henry Cole - SW7

SW7, Thurloe Square, 33, Embassy of Republic of Kazakhstan

English Heritage Sir Henry Cole, 1808 - 1882, campaigner and educator, first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, lived here.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Dave Shepherd

Dave Shepherd

E17, Brookdale Road, 27

Dave Shepherd, Britain's acclaimed jazz clarinettist and bandleader, was born here on 7th February 1929. Waltham Forest Heritage

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator

Previously viewed

Dutch Church

Dutch Church

EC2, Austin Friars

The current building was designed by Arthur Bailey and built in 1950.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Peter Sellers

Peter Sellers

Goon and comic actor. Born Portsmouth to a couple of variety entertainers. The family moved to the N6 house when Sellers was 10. He was staying at the Dorchester Hotel when he suffered a heart atta...

Person, Cinema, Humour, Seriously Famous, TV & Radio

5 memorials
Friary House

Friary House

N20, Friern Barnet Lane, Frary Park

The plaque is on the north-west facade, just outside the entrance door.

8 subjects commemorated, 5 creators
Henry Jermyn

Henry Jermyn

SW1, St James's Square, 10, Chatham House

Look left to St James's Square and right to St James's Church in Jermyn Street. All this was the inspiration of one man: Henry Jermyn, E...

3 subjects commemorated, 4 creators
Trinity House

Trinity House

Trinity House is the general lighthouse authority for England, Wales and the Channel Islands, a deep sea pilotage authority which also administers charitable funds mostly connected with seafarers. ...

Group, Politics & Administration

4 memorials