This is where Madame Restell built her brownstone mansion and ran her business where she would provide pills (abortifacents), operations, and even housing for women who wanted to have their baby in secret or perhaps even put it up for adoption. She would charge rich women more than poor women, working on a sliding scale depending on the specific woman's needs.Through these various services, she accumulated a considerable amount of wealth that seemed to save her from persecution for a long time.

In 1830, the Chapman and Hall publishing firm was founded at 186 Strand, London. It was founded by Edward Chapman and William Hall, who the company is named after. This publishing company is responsible for publishing numerous key works of literature from the Victorian Era. One key work that was published by Chapman and Hall was Charles Dickens’ novella, A Christmas Carol, illustrated by John Leech. Charles Dickens’ relationship with the firm is responsible for their early success, due to the popularity of his work.

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Although not born in Paris, Oscar Wilde spent a lot of his life here as the UK did not agree with his lifestyle and publications. After being exiled from Britian when released from prison for sodomy, he took asylum in Paris where he later died from meningitis.