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3 unusual facts about Old Street


Henry Smart

In 1831 he became organist of Blackburn parish church, where he wrote his first important work, a Reformation anthem; then of St Giles-without-Cripplegate; St Luke's, Old Street; and finally of St Pancras New Church, in 1864, which last post he held at the time of his death, less than a month after receiving a government pension of £100 per annum.

Old Street

Within the past few years Old Street has become a favoured location for notable graffiti artists such as Banksy and Jef Aérosol.

St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics

In 1786 it moved to Dance's purpose-built premises on Old Street, between Bath St and what is now the City Road roundabout.



see also

Life Class

David Boyd Haycock's A Crisis of Brilliance: Five Young British Artists and the Great War (Old Street Publishing, 2009) presents the remarkable "true story" that lies behind Barker's novel.

Tampa Bay Downs

In 2007, Hall of Fame trainer Carl Nafzger brought his 3-year-old Street Sense to Oldsmar for the Tampa Bay Derby, and the colt's victory was a springboard to his win in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.