London Photo Gallery - Carlyle's House

Thomas Carlyle and his wife Jane moved to London in 1834. At the time, Chelsea was not a good area to live in but the author and letter writer couple decided to move into 24 Cheyne Row, a terrace house built in the early 1700s. Thomas was an influential social commentator at the time who socialized with Victorian literary heavyweights such as Charles Dickens. Their home, including many original decor, was preserved and became a shrine to the literary legend. It opened to the public in 1895, 14 years after Thomas' death and is now managed by the National Trust. The 3-storey building consists of the parlour and dining room on the ground floor, drawing room and Jane's bedroom on the first floor, and an attic study where Thomas worked. The kitchen is placed in the basement.