George Peabody was an American by birth and made his fortunes as a dry goods merchant in the mid 19th Century. He is best known for his philanthropic activities both in his native USA and in England. He established the Peabody Institute and in England the Peabody Foundation which is still running today as a way of providing low cost housing to Londoners. He lived a good deal of his adult life in this fine house on one of London's most exclusive squares.
