Bloomsbury in Camden in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Sincere Apologies

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 27, 2026

1. Sincere Apologies Marker

Inscription.
The University of London hereby records its sincere apologies that the plans of this building were settled without due consultation with the Russell Family and their trustees and therefore without their approval of its design

Erected by University of London.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture.

Location. 51° 31.318′ N, 0° 7.697′ W. Marker is in Camden, England, in Greater London. It is in Bloomsbury. It is at the intersection of Thornhaugh Street and Russell Square, on the right when traveling south on Thornhaugh Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27 Thornhaugh Street, Camden, England WC1B, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: T.S. Eliot (a few steps from this marker); Lilian Lindsay (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Samuel Romilly (within shouting distance of this marker); Frances Trollope (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Edward Westermarck (about 90 meters away); Sir George Williams (about 150 meters away); Mary Prince (about 150 meters away); Christina Georgina Rossetti (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Also see . . . Why a university had to say sorry to a Duke (Ian Visits)

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. Excerpt:

The University sits on land that is known as the Bedford Estate, which, ever since the 1660s has been owned by the Russell family. The huge estate came into the family holdings thanks to marriage, and they were granted the title of the Duke of Bedford, hence the name of the estate.

Although most of the land was sold off around a century ago, they held onto the core in Bloomsbury, but found themselves facing a stronger foe – in that the British Museum and the Universities had the power of compulsory purchase of land they wanted.

While the family couldn’t prevent the sales, they were able to include a clause granting them the right to approve the design of any buildings that fronted onto certain viewpoints.

The Brunei Gallery overlooks Russell Square, which is still owned by the family, and although they were consulted early in the plans, it seems that the University pushed ahead with the plans for the building without formal approval.

Mark De Rivaz, steward of the Bedford Estates, told the Times Higher Education that continuing rights of approval on buildings fronting on some viewpoints were a condition of the sale of the land to the university in the 1920s.

There had been discussions about the SOAS design, but “the university slightly pre-empted the issue”. Frank Dabell, secretary of SOAS, said the plaque
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 27, 2026

2. Sincere Apologies Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here to the right of the Brunei Gallery building entrance.
– its wording, size and materials specified – was a condition of their receiving the land from the university.

So, a plaque was demanded which recorded the sincere apologies to the family, as presumably, they could have faced the prospect of demolishing the building.

(Submitted on April 1, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.