London Borough of Islington

Islington is a borough of London to the north of the City of London, west of Hackney, east of Camden, and south of Haringey. Population 179,000 (1998), ethnic minority population about 20%. It was formed in April 1965 through amalgamation of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington and the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. It is an area of significant social contrasts (55% of population live in council housing, yet some houses of value greater than 3 million GBP). Islington contains one of the largest intact areas of urban Georgian architecture, and the borough is also known for its shopping facilities and "trendy" restaurants, bars and clubs. Its most prominent institution is Arsenal F.C., one of the world's most successful football clubs. John Stuart Mill, the famous economist and philosopher, was born in Pentonville, one of its areas, 20 May 1806.

Etymology

The area was recorded as Gislandune (c. 1000) and Iseldone (Domesday Book, 1086), from Old English *Gisla (man's name, genitive *Gislan) and -dun (hill, down).

Related Topics:
1000 - Domesday Book - 1086 - Old English

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~