The munificent Mrs Coade and her 650 stones

The name of the stone merchant Eleanor Coade (1733–1821) is known today to few beyond the circle of architectural historians.

But in her day, hers was a name that bespoke excellence. Eleanor owned a highly-successful, artificial stone factory in Lambeth, London, which bore her name.

Eleanor was born on 3 June 1733 in Exeter, Devon, to George Coade, a wealthy merchant, and his wife, also named Eleanor. However, the wool trade that employed George went into decline and in 1759, the family were forced to relocate to London due to bankruptcy. George went bankrupt a second time in 1769 and it might have been this second bankruptcy that prompted Eleanor to set up her own business, hoping to shore up the family fortunes.