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Eclectic Institute
Founded by James ‘Bronterre’ O’Brien (1804 – 1864)

Formerly a Baptist chapel at the rear of 18 Denmark street, Soho, London. Rear access on Dudley Court (now Denmark Place). Entrance via passageway from 18 Denmark street. Used for public meetings and to provide education, on various topics (English grammar, French, Mathematics and Science), to the poor at minimal cost.

The first public meeting was held at the institute on 7th January 1851.

‘Bronterre’ founded the institute because of his belief that universal suffrage must go hand in hand with universal free education so that the poor and working classes would be able to exercise their new rights effectively.

The ‘obrienites’ (followers of his political philosophy) continued to operate the institute following James Bronterre O’Brien’s death in 1864.