Covent Garden in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Old Slaughters Coffee House

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 26, 2026

1. Old Slaughters Coffee House Marker

Inscription.
Site of
Old Slaughters Coffee House
where on 16th June 1824
was formed the society now known as RSPCA

Erected by City of Westminster, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the City of Westminster Green Plaques series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 16, 1824.

Location. 51° 30.693′ N, 0° 7.655′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Covent Garden. It is on Cranbourn Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 77 St Martins Lane, City of Westminster, England WC2H, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on 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

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Agatha Christie Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sidney Webb (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Joshua Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Brewmaster (within shouting distance of this marker); The Porcupine (within shouting distance of this marker); Ken Colyer (within shouting distance of this marker); William Nicholson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Long Acre (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.

Also see . . . Old Slaughter's Coffee House (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

Old Slaughter's Coffee House was a coffee house in St Martin's Lane in London. Opened in 1692 by Thomas Slaughter, it was the haunt of many of the important personages of the period. The building was demolished in 1843 when Cranbourn Street was constructed.

It was patronised by players of games that included chess, draughts and whist. Notable players included Abraham de Moivre, Benjamin Franklin and Philidor. It was also popular with artists of all kinds, including
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 26, 2026

2. Old Slaughters Coffee House Marker - wide view
The plaque is visible here between the two windows, above the red awning.
architects, painters, poets, and sculptors. This artistic community included Dryden, Gainsborough, Hogarth, and Roubiliac.…

It was used as a meeting house, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which subsequently became the RSPCA, was founded there in 1824. The meeting was organised by the Reverend Arthur Broome and chaired by Sir Fowell Buxton. There were eight other gentlemen attending, including "Humanity Dick" – aka Colonel Richard Martin – who had successfully campaigned for the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act in 1822 but whose latest bill for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had been defeated in the Lords that day. Other MPs attending included Sir James Mackintosh and William Wilberforce.

(Submitted on April 15, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 15, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.