Putney’s Hidden History: Puppets, Politics & Prime Ministers
Putney, a seemingly quiet London borough, holds a surprisingly vibrant and quirky history, as discovered on a recent “pootle” through its streets. Forget sleepy suburbs; this riverside spot is a veritable rabbit hole of fascinating figures and pivotal moments!
Take Fred Russell, the “father of modern ventriloquism,” whose blue plaque on Kenilworth Court hints at a lineage far grander than mere dummy-talk. This Victorian pioneer, who performed well into the TV age, was also the actual father of Val Parnell, the theatre impresario who gave a young Julie Andrews her first paid gig. And it seems Putney has a peculiar affinity for puppets: Gerry “Thunderbirds” Anderson and Jim “Muppets” Henson both once shared a workshop here, while Mary Shelley, creator of the ultimate “twisted puppet” Frankenstein's monster, lived in the area twice. Even Mr. Benn's whimsical world was born on Putney's Festing Road, thanks to author David McKee.
But Putney's story stretches back centuries. The 13th-century St Mary’s Church, despite modern renovations, still boasts stones that witnessed young Thomas Cromwell's early days – the commoner who rose to become an Earl. Centuries later, his distant relative Oliver Cromwell would preside over the influential Putney Debates of 1647 within these very walls. These discussions, pivotal in shaping English democracy, even raised the then-radical idea of universal male suffrage.
Beyond the political, Putney is synonymous with the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races, their historic start line nestled by Putney Bridge. This bridge, designed by London's sewer architect Joseph Bazalgette, also holds a darker tale: women's advocate Mary Wollstonecraft attempted to end her life from its deck in 1795, only to be rescued. Further afield, Putney Heath served as a grim stage for 18th-century duels, including pistol fights between two former Prime Ministers, William Pitt and George Canning, perhaps after a fortifying pint at the ancient Green Man pub. From puppet masters to political pioneers and dueling statesmen, Putney’s past is anything but dull!
This fascinating area serves as both a putney london attraction and a treasure trove of theatrical history waiting to be explored.
The area's proximity to Westminster has historically made government jobs Putney residents particularly sought after throughout the borough's development.
Those who visit London Putney history enthusiasts will discover fascinating stories about the area's theatrical puppet shows and notable residents.
While exploring Putney London museums, visitors can discover fascinating exhibitions that showcase the area's rich theatrical heritage and notable historical figures.
Students putney studying in london today walk the same historic streets where centuries of fascinating puppet shows and prime ministerial moments unfolded.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/a-picaresque-putney-pootle)
