Irene Barclay: A Trailblazer in Housing Reform in Somers Town

In the heart of Somers Town, a neighbourhood renowned for its vibrant community spirit and resilience, one woman’s legacy stands as a beacon of social progress: Irene Barclay, Britain’s first female chartered surveyor and a dedicated advocate for better housing.

Born in Hereford in 1894 into a politically progressive family, Irene Turberville Martin (later Barclay) developed a deep commitment to social justice from an early age. Her father, a congregationalist minister and pacifist, instilled in her strong values of service and reform.

After earning a first-class degree in History and a diploma in Social Science from Bedford College, London, Irene was driven to work in the overcrowded tenements of London’s slums, where she discovered her true calling.

After the passage of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act in 1919, Irene made history in 1922 as Britain’s first female chartered surveyor. She soon joined forces with Evelyn Perry, another pioneering woman in the profession, and together they established a surveying practice that changed countless lives.

However, it was in Somers Town where Irene Barclay’s expertise was most urgently needed.

As Honorary Secretary of the St Pancras House Improvements Society, established by Anglican priest Basil Jellicoe, Irene passionately championed the improvement of slum housing conditions. From 1924 to 1972, she dedicated her efforts to this cause from her office at 1A St Martin’s Polygon Road, a location now honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque.

Her groundbreaking surveys went beyond chronicling physical decay; they revealed the profound human suffering caused by overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and exploitative rents.

Irene’s work sparked public awareness and paved the way for the establishment of housing associations throughout North London, including Kensington, Stepney, Bethnal Green, and the Isle of Dogs.

Known as “Irene, the patron of the poor,” she received an OBE in 1966 in recognition of her unwavering dedication to housing reform. Her legacy in Somers Town extends far beyond bricks and mortar—it is a powerful story of compassion, courage, and community.