Historic England - Phyllis Pearsall

We would all have great difficulty finding our way around London’s streets if it wasn’t for this remarkable lady, born in Dulwich, south London.  Pearsall devised the idea of the first A-Z book of street maps after having problems finding the home of people whose portraits she had been commissioned to paint.  She walked an astonishing 3,000 miles around the streets of London and the A-Z, the model for many other cities, was first published in 1936.

Places to visit

Southwark, London
See the blue plaque on Pearsall's home in Court Gardens Lane as part of your exploration of this fascinating part of London. Cross the Thames from St. Paul's Cathedral on the Millennium Bridge and tour Southwark, admiring its wonderful cathedral and enjoying the borough's many attractions on your way.