Place Name
William Lowther (July 21, 1787 – March 4, 1872), who was the 2nd Earl of Lonsdale bought the St Ann’s estate, on which this road is laid out, in 1846. The property, which he kept until his death, had previously belonged to Nathan Spriggs, a wealthy Jamaica merchant. Lowther was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, before becoming a MP for Cockermouth in 1808, a seat he held until 1813, later he held the seats for Westmorland, Dunwich, and finally, between 1832 and 1833, West Cumberland. He ever married, but had at least three illegitimate children which he acknowledged, leaving them substantial sums in his will. An opera enthusiast, it is believed that all of his children were born to opera singers or dancers. He was succeeded in the earldom and to Lowther Castle, in Cumbria where the family are the largest landowners, by his nephew, Henry. This road was laid out as one of the approaches to Hammersmith Bridge and was originally known as Lower Bridge Road. See also Lowther Road.
