There is a particular irony embedded in the Du Cane family’s London legacy. On Balham High Road stands Du Cane Court, the building their land made possible, once marketed as the “Aristocrat of Apartment Houses.” In west London, running alongside the grey battlements of Britain’s most notorious prison, Du Cane Road carries the same name.ContinueContinue reading “Sir Edmund Frederick Du Cane (1830 to 1903): Architect of Wormwood Scrubs and Reformer of the Victorian Prison”
Category Archives: History
Ella Du Cane (1874 to 1943): Watercolourist and the Woman Who Brought Japan to Britain
In the summer of 1874, the Du Cane family were as far from their Essex estate as it was possible to travel without leaving the British Empire. Sir Charles Du Cane, the family’s current head, was serving as Governor of Tasmania, administering the southernmost Australian colony from the Government House in Hobart. It was there,ContinueContinue reading “Ella Du Cane (1874 to 1943): Watercolourist and the Woman Who Brought Japan to Britain”
Peter Du Cane CBE (1901 to 31 October 1984): Builder of the Bluebird and Architect of D-Day’s Fleet
On 19 August 1939, on Coniston Water in the Lake District, a boat called Bluebird K4 driven by Sir Malcolm Campbell crossed a measured kilometre at 141.74 miles per hour, setting a new world water speed record that would stand until the war had run its course. The boat had been designed and built atContinueContinue reading “Peter Du Cane CBE (1901 to 31 October 1984): Builder of the Bluebird and Architect of D-Day’s Fleet”
George Bertram Carter (1896 to 1986): The Lutyens Pupil Who Embraced Modernism
George Bertram Carter lived almost twice as long as his fellow Du Cane Court claimant George Kay Green, and the arc of his career reflects that longevity: a formally trained architect who moved with the currents of his time, from Arts and Crafts to Art Deco to full-blooded Modernism, and who remained professionally active acrossContinueContinue reading “George Bertram Carter (1896 to 1986): The Lutyens Pupil Who Embraced Modernism”
History of Du Cane Court: A Balham Icon
Du Cane Court, an architectural marvel located in Balham, London, stands as a testament to the area’s rich history and cultural evolution. With its distinctive Art Deco style and significant historical importance, Du Cane Court has been a beloved landmark since its construction in the 1930s. This article explores the history of Du Cane Court,ContinueContinue reading “History of Du Cane Court: A Balham Icon”
Flashback to London’s Vibrant 1930s: Iconic Events that Shaped the Decade!
In the 1930s, London experienced significant events and developments across various areas, including politics, culture, and social changes. Some major events that occurred in London during that decade include: The Great Depression: The global economic downturn of the late 1920s and 1930s had a significant impact on London, leading to high unemployment rates and economicContinueContinue reading “Flashback to London’s Vibrant 1930s: Iconic Events that Shaped the Decade!”
The Du Cane Range: A Breathtaking Mountain Range in Tasmania’s Central Highlands
Within the pristine landscapes of Tasmania’s Central Highlands region, the Du Cane Range stands tall as a majestic mountain range, captivating adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. At an impressive elevation of 1,520 meters (4,990 ft) above sea level, an unnamed peak on the main ridge has earned its place as the eleventh highest mountain peakContinueContinue reading “The Du Cane Range: A Breathtaking Mountain Range in Tasmania’s Central Highlands”
Is Du Cane Court Named After One of These Famous Du Canes?
Famous Du Canes: A Family Across the Centuries The name above the entrance to Du Cane Court carries with it nearly three centuries of London and English history. The Du Cane family were French Protestants, Huguenots, who fled their homeland in the southern Low Countries during the persecutions carried out under the Duke of AlbaContinueContinue reading “Is Du Cane Court Named After One of These Famous Du Canes?”