It is unclear who Mr Hesse was, or where he lived. One George Adam Calcraft Hesse, an army agent ‘Computer of the Off-Reckonings', certainly did live at the Adelphi as he killed himself in his library there in 1788 with his own travelling pistol. This George Hesse had married Elizabeth Gunthorpe in 1774, the daughter of a Caribbean plantation owner, possibly the William Gunthorpe who was the first resident of number 1 Adam Street in 1771-75. The Survey of London lists a Mr Hesse at number 1 Adam Street in 1779-87, and a Mr Hesse – quite probably a different man, possibly a relation – at number 2 Adam Street in 1783-87. Who the ‘George F Hesse’ listed on Adam’s drawings was, is not known. It is possible, therefore, that these drawings listed for George Hesse, were intended for two different men in two different houses: the carpet, mirrors and girandole being for the George Hesse who lived at number 1 from 1779, and the drawing room ceiling, and two chimneypieces being for the George Hesse who lived at number 2 from 1783.

I am particularly grateful to Colin Thom of the Survey of London for the above information.

Sub-sub-scheme

Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk