The Russell Institution, Great Coram Street - Shepherd, Metropolitan Improvements (1828), p259, Thomas Hosmer Shepherd

View of the russell institution on great coram street at the corner with little coram street (later to become herbrand street). Originally built by james burton in 1802 as assembly rooms (and rebuilt in 1803 following a fire), the building re-opened in 1808 as a literary institution, offering subscribers lectures, a library, and social events. The institution would continue through much of the 19th century before eventually going into decline. At the end of the century the whole block was bought by the london county council, and the site was cleared by the early 1900s. It remained an empty space for some years, until built over with the present witley court flats in the early 1930s. Date: 1828.