Book excerpt: Cunningham is chiefly remembered for writing this work, originally published in two volumes in 1849. It contains considerable original information about places of interest in 19th century London. To enhance the descriptions, he uses quotations from authors with known associations to various places in London. Many later works on London were based on this work and on his numerous topographical and antiquarian works about the city, some in Murray's guidebook series. For his antiquarian work he was elected fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. --Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.