2-969-943 - /Heritage Images

The Dulwich College Charity Meeting at the Adelphi Theatre, 1856. 'Mr. [Charles] Dickens, the chairman, addressing the meeting [called by Mr. Webster]...to memorialise the Charity Commissioners on behalf of the theatrical profession...Mr. [George?] Webster then...concluded a long and most interesting speech, by stating that the amount of wealth possessed by Dulwich College was perfectly astounding. The estate consisted of 1145 acres, and Sir Charles Barry had calculated each acre to be worth £1000, so that the total value of the property was £1,145,000. Under good management that estate would realise £50,000 a year, but at present it did not produce more than £8000'. Dulwich College in south London was founded in 1619 by Elizabethan actor Edward Alleyn, with the original purpose of educating 12 poor scholars. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.