Babara’s books

Kensington in Old Photographs, 1974, published by The History Press.

This book offers a brief tour round the old borough of Kensington as it appeared in photographs during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Playmaster of Blankenburg, 1982, published by Autolycus Publications.

Friedrich Froebel, teacher, and philosopher…and above all, friend of little children…opened the windows of stuffy, dreary classrooms and let in the sun for millions of boys and girls. Pioneer in the training of women as teachers (critics in his day laughed him to scorn), his name has been given to a world-wide education system, but the story of his own life had been largely forgotten. Barbara Denny, herself educated at a Froebel school, has written this historical novel of his story, set in 18th and early 19th century Germany.

Kings Bishop, 1985, published by The Alderman Press.

There have been Bishops of London for as long as the City’s history has been recorded and this book tells for the first time the story of the long line of devoted and courageous men who, because of their position in the capital, have been in the forefront of religious upheavals and struggles for power between various factions down the ages. This is their story, of the great cathedral of St Paul’s and their country home at Fulham Palace, the story of England

A History of Fulham,1990, published by Historical Publications Ltd.

The author looks back as far as Fulham’s rural past, to the time of nursery gardens and splendid mansions, and to the period when it was intimately bound up with the river Thames. She also describes the industrial development of Fulham, which obliterated the charming river frontage – only now being reclaimed.

Kensington and Chelsea in Old Photographs, 1990, co written with Carolyn Starren, published by Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd.

This fascinating selection of historic photographs documents the dramatic transformation that has taken place over the last 160 years in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The book gives an unforgettable impression of familiar streets and districts as they developed and it offers an evocative insight into the lives and living conditions in the last years of Queen Victoria’s reign and ion the early years of the 19th century.

Notting Hill & Holland Park, 1993, published by Historical Publications Ltd.

These are both areas of Kensington but of entirely different natures and history. Holland Park was developed first around the mansions of the 17th and 18th centuries, and has always been fashionable. Notting Hill, much of it built in great style, as though emulating Holland Park, has had ups and downs its development bedevilled building booms and troughs, bankruptcies and over ambitious schemes.

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Past, 1995, published by Historical Publications Ltd.

Traffic now dominates both these western areas of London. In Hammersmith especially the construction of the flyover transformed the centre of the old town even before the new office and shopping centre was built in the central island. At shepherds Bush the old village green is not much more than a piece of ground which separates the traffic flows. Both places have a great deal of history and, away from the main roads, there are numerous areas of good urban architecture. Hammersmith grew up by the river and was intimately connected with Fulham, whilst Shepherds Bush was essentially involved with the agricultural community to the north sides of Woods Lane.

Chelsea Past, 1996, published by Historical Publications Ltd.

Chelsea first became prominent when the ill-fated Thomas More built a mansion overlooking the river here in the 16th century. It was from Chelsea that More set out to his trial and inevitable execution for denying Henry VIII his supremacy over the Church of England. Later came the Royal Hospital for retired soldiers and in the 18th century the Ranelagh pleasure gardens which brought thousands of Londoners to the delights of the riverside. Distinguished writers and artists – Turner, Whistler, Smollett, Wilde and Rossetti to name but a few lived here. Now Chelsea is known for fashionable shops and restaurants and a successful soccer team too!

Fulham Past, 1997, published by Historical Publications Ltd. [This was an ‘extended adaptation’ of ‘A History of Fulham’ first published in 1990].

This book presents more material that was not available when the first book of Fulham was written in 1990. Some grand house, the poor and poorly, law and order, sporting life, the famous and flamboyant all contribute to an extended history of an ever changing suburb.

Kensington Past,1998, co written with Carolyn Starren, published by Historical Publications Ltd.

Barbara’s last book – co written and where she lived and died tells of the building of Kensington Palace which has been a royal residence since King William and Queen Mary moved to the area to avoid the damp of Whitehall. Another grand house, Holland House, a Jacobean mansion was the centre of arts and politics until the 1890s. This book is full of detail and anecdotes and is lavishly illustrated.

Ladybirds on the Wall, 1993 Fulham and Hammersmith Historical Society Printed By The Printroom Elstree Herts.

Fulham & Hammersmith Historical Society published Barbara Denny’s account of growing up in West Kensington 1920-1940: Ladybirds on the wall. Barbara Denny lived in Normand Mansions on Normand Road, and tells what it was like to live there through the depression and the war. Barbara writes quite beautifully, and the 60 page pamphlet is interspersed with fascinating pictures and illustrations of West Kensington in bygone days.