Place name
James Basire (1730 – 1802) and his cartographer father Isaac Basire (September 20, 1704 – August 24, 1768) were engravers. James was engraver to the Society of Antiquaries and to the Royal Society. He was also the man who apprenticed the young William Blake. The road was originally named South Street when it was laid out sometime around 1848. It took its present name in 1938, most likely on the insistence of Royal Mail.
