3-008-785 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Schools of England: St. Paul's School, east end of St. Paul's Churchyard, 1862. 'This ancient and still flourishing foundation, though in some respects taking rank below a few of its competitors, has strong claims to preeminence over most of them, since not only was it one of the first really free schools established in England, but its establishment was solely due to the desire of a great scholar and enlightened Christian for the diffusion of pure doctrines in religion and learning...The ancient school shared in the great conflagration of 1666, and was rebuilt by the Mercers' Company in 1670. The present structure, the facade of which is shown in our Engraving, was designed and erected by George Smith, Esq., the architect of the Mercers' Company, in 1826. It has the advantage of two additional masters' houses, and cloisters for a playground - such as it is - underneath. The four masters' houses are spacious and commodious residences'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.