Francis Hargrave, Esq., a barrister, resided in York Place, (the houses of which are now nearly all converted into shops, and which is situated near to the Jews’ Burial Ground), for a considerable period. He particularly distinguished himself in the _Habeas Corpus_ case of James Somerset, a negro, for whom he was counsel, and his argument was the occasion of a precedent being established for the freedom of slaves the moment they set foot on English land. He possessed a very extensive and most valuable library, which Parliament purchased for £8000, in order that it might be placed in the British Museum. He died here in 1821, aged 80.
Sydenham Edwards, Esq., F.L.S., an eminent botanical draughtsman, lived in Charles Street, Queen’s Elm, and afterwards removed to Barrossa Place, where he died in 1819. The Flora Londinensis, Rees’ Encyclopædia, &c., were greatly indebted to his masterly pencil.
Alexander Stephens, Esq., built and resided in Park House, Upper Church Street, for a great many years. He was the author of several popular works, was born at Elgin, about 1757, and completed his education at the University of Aberdeen, which he left at the early age of 18 years, for the purpose of proceeding to the West India Islands, principally with a view to add to his stock of useful information and knowledge of the world. Mr. Stephens purchased a Commission in the 84th regiment, but never joined in consequence of the sudden reduction of that corps. At the age of 21, he entered himself a member of the Middle Temple, where he continued his vigorous pursuit of legal studies for several years. His earliest production was “Jamaica,” a descriptive poem; and his next, published within a few years afterwards, “The Temple,” a kind of law journal. But of his printed works, undoubtedly, the most approved are the volumes of the “Public Characters;” also a “Life of John Horne Took,” and the “History of the Wars, which arose out of the French Revolution.”
The industry of Mr. Stephens in the collection of the materials for his biographical works has not often been surpassed. He was accustomed to commit to paper the most trifling memoranda illustrative of the history of any eminent individual the moment they were communicated to him.