Original description by George Birch in 1894
This view shows the river facade of Somerset House, but the principal entrance is on the south side of the Strand. It was built by Sir William Chambers in 1776–86 on the site of the old Somerset House, which was intended as the residence of the Protector Somerset. The Embankment frontage is 780 feet long, and the terrace is 50 feet high and 50 feet broad. There are over 900 persons employed in this building, which is occupied by various public offices, including the Audit Office, the Inland Revenue Office, the Office of the Registrar-General, the Admiralty Register, and Doctors’ Commons Will Office. In the department for Literary Inquiry, open from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m., may be seen the wills of Shakespeare, Dr. Johnson and others. Somerset House is open every day, and visitors are admitted free, but fees are charged for the examination of wills.
Other observations
The grey out of focus area in the foreground is presumably the parapet of something.
Geolocation
Subject at centre of picture: TQ 3074 8074 approx.
Camera position: TQ 3075 8058 approx. assuming camera on Waterloo Bridge
Camera height: bridge deck level
View direction: N
View angle: 28° approx. if taken from mid-river.
Focal length (35mm equiv): 45mm approx.
Nearest similar geograph
Taken from the south side of the river, so not really comparable.Technical information
See here.