Grosvenor Square was originally laid out in 1695 by Sir Richard Grosvenor, on the site of Oliver's Mount, an earthwork hastily thrown up by the citizens in 1643, when Charles I. was approaching London after the battle of Edgehill. Many of the houses have been rebuilt, but some old link-extinguishers and other ironwork are still to be seen.
Lord Chesterfield lived in this square before removing to Chesterfield House in 1750, and it was in his house here that Dr. Johnson was kept indignantly waiting in an ante-room. Lord Hardwicke (died 1764), Lord Rockingham (died 1782), and Lord North (died 1792) all died in this square. No. 6 was the residence of W. H. Page, while American ambassador in London (1913-18). No. 12 (rebuilt) was the residence of Lord Lytton in 1868-78. The philanthropic Earl of Shaftesbury lived at No. 24, on the west side, for over 30 years. No. 35 was the home of John Wilkes from 1790 till his death there in 1797; Dr. Pusey afterwards occupied the house in 1838-39. No. 20 is occupied by the Italian Embassy; No. 22 is the Chilian Legation.
In Grosvenor St., leading from Grosvenor Square to Bond St., are several ladies' clubs and, at No. 74, the Royal Asiatic Society, with a good library. The Guards' Club is at No. 41 Brook St., a parallel street leading across Bond St. to Hanover Square.
