Russell Square is a garden square in Bloomsbury. The Russell family, who were earls of Bedford since 1550. The family gained possession of the land in 1669. According to hidden-london.com, “The square was laid out in 1801 by Humphry Repton on land earlier called Southampton Fields, and subsequently Long Fields. James Burton was the designer of the original buildings that surrounded the square, only a few of which now remain” (hidden-london). Russell Square quickly became one of London’s most desirable places of residence, home to the highest of high society. It is the prime setting for the events of Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, which is set at the time of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1897, a cabmen’s shelter was placed on the north-west corner and is still present till this day.  During the 1920’s in Mrs.Dalloway’s time famous poet T.S. Eliot lived in Russell Square from 1925-52. During this upper-middle-class families lived in the large terraced houses. During this time period the square was used for people to take strolls around or for events to be held in.

In present day, the Russell Square is located within walking distance of tourist destinations such as the British Museum and Oxford Street.  Russell Square is in the heart of the University of London. Many students along with tourist use the lawns daily. The square also has its own tube station.  In 2005 there were two terrorist bombings near Russell Square. One was on the tube station near Russell Square station. The second was on a bus near the square. There now is a memorial plaque to honor those who had died. Then in 2016, the square was the location of a mass stabbing.

Russell Square Gardens; a photo from opensquares.org