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%. Formed in 1964 through amalgamation of the Metropolitan Boroughs of Islington and
Finsbury. Area of significant social contrasts (55% of population live in
council housing, yet some houses of value greater than 3 million
GBP). Contains one of the largest intact areas of urban
Georgian architecture. Also known for its shopping facilities and "trendy" restaurants and bars.
The borough includes the areas:
Tony Blair, Prime Minister, once lived here (in 1 Richmond Crescent, Barnsbury). Other famous residents include the writers George Orwell and Douglas Adams, playwright Joe Orton, politician Boris Johnson, and pop musicians Dido Armstrong and David Gray[?].
Name: recorded as Gislandune (c. 1000) and Iseldone (Domesday Book, 1086), from Old English *Gisla (man's name, genitive *Gislan) and -dun (hill, down).
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