This mansion stood here, on the site of what is now St Stephens Hospital, where in 1700 the third Earl of Shaftesbury rebuilt the structure that he had bought from the Rt Hon. Sir James Smith. However his asthma was aggravated by the London smog when it blew over Chelsea in an easterly wind and he sold to Narcissus Luttrell in 1710. The Earl had particularly cultivated fruit trees and especially vines of which he is said to have had every outdoor species. He also built a library which was probably a major attraction to Luttrell. Luttrell had a vast library which it is likely he continued to build until he died here in 1732. On Lutrell's death a spiteful contemporary, Thomas Dibdin, wrote in his diary that he was "well known for his curious library but tho' he was so curious and diligent in collecting and amassing together, yet he affected to live so private as hardly to be known in private" and more that is thoroughly unfriendly. The unfriendly comments seem to be refuted by entries in Luttrell's own diaries which record a gentleman behaving normally with due regard for his responsibilities to his family and the community in which he lived.

O/S Co-ords:2635.7775
Source(s):

Chelsea