Brixton
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{{infobox UK place|
|country = England
|map_type = Greater London
|region= London
|population=
|official_name= Brixton
|static_image=
|static_image_caption=
|latitude= 51.463
|longitude= -0.106
|london_borough= Lambeth
|constituency_westminster= [[Streatham (UK Parliament constituency)|Streatham]]
|constituency_westminster1= [[Vauxhall (UK Parliament constituency)|Vauxhall]]
|post_town= LONDON
|postcode_area=SW
|postcode_district= SW9, SW2
|postcode_area1=SE
|postcode_district1= SE5
|dial_code= 020
|os_grid_reference= TQ315755
}}
{{otherplaces}}
'''Brixton''' is an area of [[South London]], [[England]], part of the [[London Borough of Lambeth]]. It is bordered by [[Stockwell]], [[Clapham Common]], [[Streatham]], [[Camberwell]], [[Tulse Hill]] and [[Herne Hill]].
== History ==
Brixton was the meeting place of the ancient [[Brixton (hundred)|Brixton]] hundred of Surrey. Brixton means 'Beorthsige's stone', from the [[Old English language|Old English]] personal name and ''stan'' "stone". The last element is not [[Old English language|Old English]] ''tun'' "farm, village", despite the modern -ton ending. It was recorded as ''Brixiestan'' in 1086 in the [[Domesday Book]]. The location of the [[stone]], at the time used as a meeting point for communities, is not known.<ref>[http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey Domesday Book]</ref><ref>http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/history.html</ref>
The area remained mostly waste land until the beginning of the 19th century, the main settlements being near [[Stockwell]], [[Brixton Hill]] and [[Coldharbour Lane]]. With the opening of [[Vauxhall Bridge]] in 1816, improved access to Central [[London]] led to a process of suburban development. The largest single development, and one of the last in suburban character, was [[Angell Town]], laid out in the 1850s on the east side of [[Brixton Road]], and so named after a family which owned land in [[Lambeth]] from the late 17th century until well into the 20th. It was part of [[Surrey]] until the creation of the [[County of London]] in 1889.
One of a few surviving [[windmill]]s in London, built in 1816, and surrounded by houses built during Brixton's Victorian expansion, is to be found just off Brixton Hill. The nearby 'Windmill' pub is named after it. When the [[London]] sewerage system was constructed during the mid-19th century, its designer Sir Joseph Bazalgette incorporated flows from the [[River Effra]], which use to flow through Brixton, into his 'high-level interceptor sewer', also known as the Effra sewer.
Brixton transformed into a middle class suburb between the 1860s and 1890s. Railways linked Brixton with the centre of [[London]] and in 1880, [[Electric Avenue]] was so named after it became the first street in the area to be lit by electricity. In this time large expensive houses were constructed along the main roads in Brixton, which were converted into flats and boarding houses at the turn of the century as the middle classes were replaced by an influx of the working classes. By 1925 Brixton attracted thousands, amongst others housing the largest shopping centre in south London at the time, as well as a thriving market, cinemas, pubs and a theatre.
The Brixton area was bombed during [[World War 2]], contributing to a severe housing crisis, which in turn led to [[urban decay]]. This was followed by slum clearances and the building of Council housing. In the 1940s and 1950s many immigrants, particularly from the West Indies, settled in Brixton.<ref>http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/history.html</ref>
==Brixton today==
[[Image:Brixton, Electric Avenue, sumer 2007.jpg|thumb|Electric Road, August 2007]]
Brixton is an inner London suburb 3.3 miles (5.3 km) south of [[Charing Cross]] and is the unofficial capital of the [[Jamaica]]n, [[African British]] and [[Caribbean]] community of London. Windrush Square between Lambeth Town Hall and the Tate Library was created to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the modern [[British Afro-Caribbean community|Afro-Caribbean community]] on the [[Empire Windrush]].
Modern day Brixton is home to six big housing estates: Myatts Field off Vassall Road; Angell Town off Brixton Road on the boundary with Camberwell; Loughborough in the centre of Brixton; Moorlands Estate, situated off Coldharbour Lane; St Matthew's, located in the fork between Brixton Hill and Effra Road; Tulse Hill a little further South of St. Matthews.
==Brixton riots==
{{main|Brixton riot (1981)}}
{{main|Brixton riot (1985)}}
{{main|Brixton riot (1995)}}
Brixton was the scene of riots in [[Brixton riot (1981)|April 1981]] and [[Brixton riot (1985)|September 1985]]. Following migration from the West Indies in the 1950s (and later mix of other ethnic minorities), Brixton encompassed a (relatively) large number of ethnic minorities as compared with other parts of England. The context for the 1981 rioting was the "stop-and-search" policies under the '[[sus law]]', whereby young black men were stopped and searched by the police without any reason being given.
Following the 1981 riots, the Government appointed [[Lord Scarman]] under the auspices of a Royal Commission to report <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/25/newsid_2546000/2546233.stm</ref> upon the effects of the current law. Lord Scarman's report acknowledged the disproportionate effect that the law was having on young black youth. The report made a number of recommendations, which resulted in the police having to give reasons – to the person - for any stop and searches that they undertook.
In the 1983 [[United Kingdom general election, 1983|general election]], the [[British National Party]] ([[BNP]]) obtained a Party Election Broadcast on television. The broadcast was transmitted on [[31 May]] and consisted of [[John Tyndall (politician)|John Tyndall]], flanked by two [[Union Flag]]s, and images of the 1981 [[Brixton riot (1981)|Brixton riot]] as Tyndall's speech attempted to encourage nationalism over [[racism]].<ref>Martin Harrison in ''The British General Election of 1983'', Macmillan 1983, p. 155</ref> The giving of television time to the BNP was controversial, and was debated on ''[[Right to Reply]]'' on [[Channel 4]].<ref>"Tyndall's race policy", ''The Times'', [[4 June]] [[1983]], p. 5</ref>
The 1985 riot followed a police shooting of a black woman, Cherry Groce, after the police entered her house looking for someone else. Although the Brixton area subsequently saw pioneering [[community policing]] initiatives, the continued death of young black men in police custody (and in one case the death of a man pointing a fake gun at people) coupled with general distrust of the police led to smaller scale protests through the 1990s. The [[Brixton riot (1995)|Brixton riots]] in 1995 were initially sparked by the death of a black man in police custody (Wayne Douglas) and occurred in an atmosphere of discontent about the [[gentrification]] of Brixton.
The 1999 Macpherson Report, an investigation into the murder of [[Stephen Lawrence]] and the failure of the police to establish sufficient evidence for the prosecution of the charged suspects, found that recommendations of the 1981 [[Scarman Report]] had been ignored. The report famously concluded that the police force was "[[Institutional racism|institutionally racist]]".<ref>{{cite news |date=2004-05-05| title = Q&A: Stephen Lawrence murder| publisher = [[BBC News]]| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3685733.stm| accessdate = 2008-01-04}}</ref>
Former [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[John Major]]'s Brixton roots were used in a campaign poster during the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]'s 1992 election campaign: "What does the Conservative Party offer a [[working class]] kid from Brixton? They made him Prime Minister."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Bennett |first=Gillian |year=1996 |title="Camera, Lights Action!": The British General Election 1992 as Narrative Event |journal=Folklore |volume=107 |issue= |pages=pp. 94 – 97 |id= |url=http://uk.jstor.org.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk/view/0015587x/ap040381/04a00140/1?frame=noframe&userID=90526442@ucl.ac.uk/01cce4405a89b5113712728f1&dpi=3&config=jstor |accessdate= 2007-06-28 }}</ref>
== Brixton murals ==
[[Image:Brixtonacademymural.jpg|thumb|Brixton Academy Mural, 1982]]
{{main|Brixton murals}}
After the riots in 1981 a series of [[Brixton murals|murals]] was funded by the council, although there is no evidence to show that colourfully painted walls have any direct correlation to the level of violence within a community. The murals portray nature, politics, community and ideas. the surviving murals include the Brixton Academy Mural (Stockwell Park Walk) by Stephen Pusey (1982) showing a mixed group of young people, intended to portray the natural harmony that could be found between children of mixed backgrounds in the local schools.
==Nelson Mandela==
Brixton's symbolic role as the "soul of Black Britain" led to a 1996 visit by [[Nelson Mandela]]. This included a brief visit to Mandela Street, part of a modern housing development constructed in the mid 80s and named after the former South African president. Mr. Mandela also visited the Brixton Recreation Centre during his visit.
==Brixton bombing==
On [[17 April]] [[1999]] [[neo-Nazism|neo-nazi]] bomber [[David Copeland]] planted a nail [[bomb]] in [[Electric Avenue]], which exploded on market day by the Iceland [[supermarket]] at the junction with [[Brixton Road]] (Brixton High Street). Around 50 people were injured, including a toddler, who had a nail driven through his skull. Copeland was sentenced to six life sentences in June 2000.
The Brixton bombing is reported to have targeted the black community in Brixton. Copland also bombed [[Brick Lane]], the heart of East London's [[Bangladeshi]] and Asian community, and the [[Admiral Duncan pub]] in [[Soho]], London, frequented predominantly by the gay community. The BBC reports that Copland intended to ignite a race war across Britain with his bombing campaign.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/781755.stm</ref>
== Brixton Mosque ==
The Masjid ibn Taymeeyah, or Brixton Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre, is located in Gresham Road, close to Brixton Police Station. The mosque has facilities for both men and women and space for 400 worshipers during prayer.<ref>http://www.salaam.co.uk/mosques/searchmosque.php?orgcode=150</ref> Opened in 1990 Brixton Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in South London. The mosque has a strong community focus, providing religious, social and financial support to its members.<ref>http://www.totaltravel.co.uk/travel/greater-london/london-south-west/brixton-stockwell/attractions/heritage/brixton-mosque</ref>
The Mosque made international headlines when it was reported that [[Richard Reid]], the so called "shoe bomber" had attended the mosque. Abdul Haqq Baker, chairman of Brixton Mosque told the BBC that Reid came to the mosque to learn about Islam but soon fell in with what he called "more extreme elements".<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1729022.stm</ref> Some commentators described Brixton Mosque as having a reputation for being one of the most fundamentalist and uncompromising in London.<ref>http://www.communitychannel.org/content/view/681/81/</ref> In reaction members of Brixton Mosque sought to explain their believes and practice of Salafis pure Islam. Brixton was a site of a conference after the [[London Bombings]], at which local Muslims condemned all use of terror and indiscriminate killing. Footage of the conference includes local Muslims talking about the discrimination they face from people not able to differentiate between Muslims and terrorists, and the local Brixton community, on the whole, is described as welcoming to Muslims.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWzm4o9ChhE</ref>
== JayDay Cannabis Festival ==
From 2001 to 2004 [[Brockwell Park]] hosted the annual Cannabis Festival, or JayDay, organised by the Cannabis Coalition. The police reportedly maintained a low profile, tolerating the smoking of [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]].<ref>http://www.urban75.org/photos/protest/jayday.html</ref><ref>http://www.urban75.org/photos/protest/jayday39.html</ref> In 2005 the London Borough of Lambeth rejected the application for a further Cannabis Festival on the following grounds:
<blockquote>
"While Lambeth Council supports freedom of speech and the right to take part in a legitimate campaign, the council cannot condone illegal activities such as cannabis use and drug pushing - both of which have taken place at a previous festival held by the Cannabis Coalition. Indeed council officers monitoring the event in the past were approached by drug dealers who offered them drugs."<ref>http://www.schmoo.co.uk/cannabis/</ref>
</blockquote>
== Climate change ==
Brixton is also notable for being one of the first inner city based '[[Transition Towns|Transition Town]]' projects in the UK <ref>http://www.transitiontowns.org/ Transition Towns wiki</ref> [[Brockwell Park]] also hosts the now annual Urban Green Fair, first held in summer 2007. The fair is set in the context of depleting oil reserves, climate change and economic instability, aiming to provide "a simple step to a sustainable future".<ref>http://www.urbangreenfair.org/docs/about.html</ref>
== Policing, drugs and crime ==
=== Operation Swamp ===
{{main|Brixton riot (1981)}}
Before the 1981 riot was the centre of ''Operation Swamp 81'' aimed at reducing [[street crime]] mainly through the heavy use of the so-called [[sus law]], which allowed police to stop and search individuals on the basis of a mere 'suspicion' of wrong-doing. Plain clothes police officers were dispatched into Brixton, and in five days almost 1,000 people were stopped and searched. The local community was not consulted about the operation and tensions between the black community and the police on the streets of Brixton reached breaking point. Local residence complained about young, inexperienced police officers being sent on the streets, provoking confrontation.<ref>Battle for Brixton, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCjZEZt3QKc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW6kY6HfAqk&NR=1</ref>
=== Brian Paddick ===
{{main|Brian Paddick}}
In 2001 Brixton became subject of newspaper headlines due to the implementation of a pilot Cannabis programme, also known as the softly-softly approach, initiated by Brian Paddick, then [[Commander#British police rank|Police Commander]] for the [[London Borough of Lambeth]]. Police officers were instructed not to arrest or charge people who were found to be in possession of [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]]. They were instead to issue on-the-spot warnings and confiscate the drugs. Although Paddick is credited with the idea, the pilot programme was sanctioned by the [[Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis]], [[John Stevens, Baron Stevens of Kirkwhelpington|Sir John Stevens]]. Paddick asserts that he implemented the policy because he wanted his officers to deal with cannabis quickly and informally so that they could concentrate on [[heroin]] and [[crack cocaine]] offences, and street robbery and burglary, which were affecting the quality of life in Lambeth to a greater extent.<ref name="Guardian: Out But Not Down">{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Stephen|title=The Man Who Would be Mayor [print version: Out But Not Down]|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2171412,00.html|publisher=''[[The Guardian]] (g2)''|date=[[2007-09-18]]|pages=12–15}}</ref> The pilot was ended December 2005 and was replaced by a so called "no deal" police on cannabis in Brixton following complaints about increasing numbers of dealers openly selling the drug.<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/brixton-moves-from-softly-softly-to-zero-tolerance-on-cannabis-517648.html</ref>
Paddick was a sergeant on the front line during the [[Brixton riot (1981)|1981 Brixton riot]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Hopkins|first=Nick|title=Trials and Errors of Controversial Cop : How Onslaught by Critics Took its Toll of Ambitious Gay Police Chief|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4376924,00.html|publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|date=[[2002-03-19]]}}</ref> an experience which shaped his attitudes about confrontational police action and strengthened his belief in [[community policing]].<ref>''The Battle for Brixton'', an April 2006 [[BBC Two|BBC2]] documentary.</ref> In December 2000 he was appointed [[Commander#British police rank|Police Commander]] for the [[London Borough of Lambeth]] where he worked until December 2002,<ref name="Guardian: Brian Paddick">{{cite news|last=Dodd|first=Vikram|title=The Guardian Profile : Brian Paddick|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1095211,00.html|publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|date=[[2003-11-28]]}}</ref> fulfilling his ambition of becoming head of policing in Brixton.<ref name="BrianPaddick4London">{{cite web|title=About Brian|url=http://www.brianpaddick4london.net/mayor/|publisher=BrianPaddick4London|date=[[2007-09-09]]|accessdate=2007-09-22}}</ref> Paddick gained much support from the local community for his approach to policing and addressed a rally in his support in March 2002, leading Dominic Casciani from the BBC to comment:
<blockquote>
"If someone had said just five years ago that black, white, young and old, straight and gay, liberal and anarchist would all be standing together giving a standing ovation to a police commander in Brixton, people might have said they had smoked one spliff too many."<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1896527.stm</ref>
</blockquote>
== Entertainment ==
[[Image:BrixtonAcademy.jpg|thumb|[[Carling Academy Brixton]]]]
{{main|The Fridge}}
{{main|Brixton Academy}}
There is a significant [[nightclub|clubbing]] and live music scene. Large venues include the [[Brixton Academy]], [[The Fridge]] and [[Mass (nightclub)|Mass]] at St Matthew's Chruch. A range of smaller venues such as [[The Prince Albert]], [[The Prince / DexClub]], [[The Windmill, Brixton|The Windmill]], The Dogstar, [[Jamm]], [[The Telegraph (music venue)|The Telegraph]], [[Plan B (music venue)|Plan B]], [[The 414]], [[The Effra Tavern]], and [[The Grosvenor]] are a major part of London's live music scene. Brixton is also home to a 1970s purpose built [[skatepark]], named [[Stockwell Skatepark]].
=== Ritzy Cinema ===
{{main|Ritzy Cinema}}
[[Image:RitzyCinemaBrixton.jpg|thumb|The Ritzy]]
The Ritzy Cinema, Coldharbour Lane, is a formerly independent cinema now owned by [[Picturehouse Cinemas]]. The programme includes world cinema and regular Sunday matinees, films for kids on Sunday and monthly "Mother and Baby" screenings. The building was designed as the Electric Pavilion in 1910 by E. C. Homer and Lucas, one of England’s first purpose built cinemas.
<blockquote>
"The Ritzy is my local cinema and, as a citizen of the global village, it provides me simultaneously with the cosmopolitan and the cosy."
Will Self, author<ref>http://www.myvillage.com/brixton/arts-reviews_ritzy_cinema.htm</ref>
</blockquote>
==Brixton Market==
The heart of Brixton is the [[Brixton Market|Market]], open every day selling produce from all over the world. The market sells a range of Afro-Caribbean products as well as reflecting the many other communities in the local area with Indian and Vietnamese supermarkets and South American butchers amongst the shops and stalls.
==Brixton stores==
Brixton was once the shopping capital of south London with three large department stores and some of the earliest branches of what are now Britain's major national retailers.
Brixton however does have the department store Morleys, which has been a big success and has generated a lot of publicity for the glamorous side of Brixton. Morleys has attracted shoppers from all over London, especially women.
==Brixton in song==
References to Brixton in song started with the release of 'Whoppi King' by Laurel Aitken in 1968 and 'Brixton Cat' by Dice the Boss in 1969. This was followed in August 1975 by a song written and sung by Geraint Hughes and Jeff Calvert (who billed themselves as "Typically Tropical"): two white men who told the story of a Brixton bus-driver "going' to Barbados" with Coconut Airways to escape the rain in London.
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The 1979 song "[[The Guns of Brixton]]" by [[The Clash]] deals with law enforcement violence in Brixton. Written by [[Paul Simonon]], who grew up in Brixton, it had a reggae influence and showed the reggae roots of both Brixton and Paul Simonon's musical background.
Before a 'Jamm' gig, well-known punk band [[The Misfits]] were involved in a fight and thrown into Brixton Prison, which led them to write their song "London Dungeon".
Ian Hunter's 1981 album ''Short Back 'n' Sides'' contains a track called "Theatre of the Absurd" which refers to the Brixton law enforcement problem. "Play me some, play me some, play me Brixton power," is the chorus line, and the issue of race is opened with the first lines, "My tea turns seven shades darker as I sit and write these words. And London's gettin' paler, in my Theatre of the Absurd." The production of the record was overseen by [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]] of [[the Clash]].
[[Eddy Grant]]'s 1982 album ''Killer on the Rampage'' contains the smash "[[Electric Avenue (song)|Electric Avenue]]", a reference to a shopping street in central Brixton, one of the first in the UK to have electric street lighting installed (when Brixton's character was very different). The song evokes images of poverty, violence and misery while also celebrating the vibe of the area.
The song "[[Waiting for the Worms]]" from [[Pink Floyd]]'s ''[[The Wall]]'' has a rally leader speaking into a megaphone to a racist rally mob, which acts as some of the lyrics to separate verses of the song. The very first lyrics heard from the megaphone are, "We have been ordered to convene outside Brixton town hall..." The album was released in 1979, two years before the start of the [[Brixton riot (1981)|riots of 1981]].
The town featured in the song "Svarta pärlan i London" (The black pearl in London) by Swedish artist [[Thomas Di Leva]].
The song "Reggae Fi Peach" and many other songs by [[reggae]]-[[Dub music|dub]] poet [[Linton Kwesi Johnson]] are set in Brixton.
The town also featured in the song "Has It Come To This?" by UK rapper [[The Streets]].
The song "Brixton, Bronx ou Baixada" by Brazilian rock-reggae band [[O Rappa]], tells about social differences.
==Brixton in film==
Director [[Richard Parry]] shot a film here (released in 2001) called ''[[South West Nine]]'' (SW9), referring to the postcode covering much of central Brixton. Confusingly, this postcode is officially that of [[Stockwell]] - although the northern part of Brixton falls within the boundary - whereas [[SW2]] (the Brixton Hill sorting office) also covers [[Tulse Hill]] [[A204 Road]], [[Streatham Hill]] and [[Brixton Hill]].
'Reg Llama of Brixton' was mentioned in the (farcical) opening credits of the seminal 1975 comedy film [[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]].
Brixton was also mentioned in the film "[[V for Vendetta]]" as being the location where the first riots against Chancellor [[Adam Sutler]]'s authoritarian British government broke out, which resulted in Sutler calling out the army to try and stop growing public support for "V".
The film ''[[Johnny Was]]'', with the exception of a number of flashback sequences, is set entirely in Brixton.
[[Ross Kemp]] filmed in Brixton on two occasions for his programme "Ross Kemp on Gangs".
In the 1957 film [[The Prince and the Showgirl]], the character played by [[Marilyn Monroe]] is from "Coldharbour Lane, Brixton".
==Transport and locale==
'''Nearest places'''
* [[Camberwell]]
* [[Tooting]]
* [[Clapham]]
* [[Streatham]] - see [[Brixton Hill]]
* [[Brixton]]
* [[Battersea]]
* [[Wandsworth]]
* [[Norbury]]
* [[Herne Hill]]
* [[Stockwell]]
'''Nearest tube stations'''
* [[Brixton tube station]]
* [[Stockwell tube station]]
'''Nearest railway stations'''
Trains operate from [[Brixton railway station]] between [[London Victoria]] and [[Kent]]. [[Brixton tube station]] is the southern terminus of the [[Victoria line]] of the [[London Underground]], which has trains operating to [[Central London]].
'''Roads'''
Brixton sits on several main roads. The [[A23 road|A23]] London to [[Brighton]] road runs North-South through the area. There is also the [[A203 road|A203]] which links to [[Vauxhall Bridge]] along with the [[A204 road|A204]] and [[A2217 road|A2217]]. Brixton was due to be a major interchange of the [[South Cross Route]], part of the [[London Ringways]] plan, which was cancelled in the 1970s.
'''Buses'''
Brixton is a main meeting point for many [[London buses]] routes: [[London Buses route 2|2]], [[London Buses route 3|3]], [[London Buses route 35|35]], [[London Buses route 37|37]], [[London Buses route 45|45]], [[London Buses route 59|59]], [[London Buses route 109|109]], [[London Buses route 118|118]], [[London Buses route 133|133]], [[London Buses route 159|159]], [[London Buses route 196|196]], [[London Buses route 250|250]], [[London Buses route 322|322]], [[London Buses route 333|333]], [[London Buses route 345|345]], [[London Buses route 355|355]], [[London Buses route 432|432]], 415, [[London Buses route P4|P4]] and [[London Buses route P5|P5]].
'''Trams'''
[[Transport for London]] has proposed building the [[Cross River Tram]] from [[Camden Town]] to Brixton via central London.
==Famous people from Brixton==
Three people who have lived in Brixton have [[blue plaque]]s marking their former homes:
*[[Havelock Ellis]] pioneer sexologist lived at Dover Mansions on Canterbury Crescent<ref>[http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002006005/chooseLetter/E Search Blue Plaques : Blue Plaques : Research & Conservation : English Heritage<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[CLR James]] the writer and black political activist lived in Railton Road.<ref>[http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002006005/chooseLetter/J Search Blue Plaques : Blue Plaques : Research & Conservation : English Heritage<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[Dan Leno]] (1860-1904) an [[England|English]] [[music hall]] [[comedian]] famous for his drag acts (56 Akerman Road).
Other notable people with Brixton connections include:
*Former London Mayor [[Ken Livingstone]] grew up and lived for many years in Brixton
*Former British Prime Minister [[John Major]] spent part of his childhood in a two-room flat off Coldharbour Lane, and started his political career as a Lambeth Councillor while still living in the area.
*[[Max Wall]] Comedian and music hall performer was born in Brixton.
*[[Freddie Davies]] the comedian and actor was born in Brixton in 1937.
*[[Poly Styrene]] the singer of the band [[X-Ray Spex]], born in Bromley, but grew up in Brixton in 1957.<ref>[http://www.x-rayspex.com/biography/biography1.html x-ray spex official site/poly's biography 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[David Bowie]] was born in Stansfield Road, Brixton.
*[[Danny Williams (boxer)|Danny Williams]], heavyweight boxer, was born in Brixton
*[[Paul Simonon]] the bass player for [[The Clash]] is from Brixton.
*[[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]] the guitar player for [[The Clash]] is from Brixton.
*[[Drum and bass]] producer [[Dillinja]] is from Brixton.
*Screenwriter, director [[Daniel Mulloy]] was born in Brixton.
* The band [[Alabama 3]] were formed in Brixton.
*[[Linton Kwesi Johnson]] is a long time Brixton resident
*[[House music]] duo [[Basement Jaxx]] formed in Brixton.
*[[Fruitbat]] of power-pop punk band [[Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine]] is a life-long Brixton resident.
*[[Sharon Osbourne]], wife of Ozzy Osbourne, was born in Brixton.
*Mike Skinner of the band "[[The Streets]]" moved to Brixton c.2000 to pursue his recording career. Some of his songs deal with living in Brixton.
*[[Skin (singer)|Skin]], former singer of the band [[Skunk Anansie]], grew up in Brixton
*[[Stereo MC's]], acid jazz/club dance group, was formed and is still based in Brixton
*Cult novelist [[Martin Millar]] lived here, and most of his novels are set in and around Brixton.
*Environmentalist [[James Lovelock]], famous for proposing the [[Gaia hypothesis]], was born and spent his childhood in Brixton.<ref>[http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/scienceandnature/story/0,,1675518,00.html Paramedic to the planet | By genre | guardian.co.uk Books<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[Frank Reginald Carey]], [[Second World War]] [[Flying Ace|fighter ace]] was born in Brixton.
*[[Iwan Thomas]], actor
*[[Nyron Nosworthy]], professional footballer
*[[Shivani Kapoor]], Indian model
*[[Hijack (band)|Hijack]], a hip hop group
* In the musical comedy 'Leave it to Jeeves', [[PG Wodehouse]] revealed that his iconic manservant [[Jeeves]] grew up in Brixton.
* Several members of the [[So Solid Crew]]
*[[Luol Deng]] player for the [[United States|American]] [[basketball]] team [[Chicago Bulls]] lived in brixton
==Mythology==
*Sir [[Walter Raleigh]] is said to have had a house in Brixton and been visited there by [[Queen Elizabeth I]], who traveled by barge up the (now underground) Effra River to meet him. However, the name of Raleigh Hall appears to have no links to Sir Walter, and the Effra is not known to have been navigable south of Kennington.
*Brixton is mentioned in the [[Sherlock Holmes]] stories [[The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle]] (1892) and [[The Adventure of the Three Garridebs]] (1924).
==External links==
{{Commonscat|Brixton}}
*[http://www.brixtonsociety.org.uk Brixton Society - local history and environment group]
*[http://www.urban75.org/brixton/index.html Huge resource of Brixton information, features, articles, contemporary photography and "Brixton then and now" comparisons]
*[http://www.brixtonwindmill.org Friends of Windmill Gardens] - a site giving more information on the Brixton Windmill.
*[http://www.voice-online.co.uk Voice Online] - Online version of [[The Voice (newspaper)|''The Voice'']] newspaper based in Brixton.
*[http://www.hernehill.bigplace.org.uk/index.php Herne Hill Message Board] - Community message board for residents of Herne Hill
*[http://homepages.which.net/~panic.brixtonpoetry/ Panic! Poetry and Arts], Panic! was founded in 1997 in Brixton, South London, and has been online since 1998.
==Footnotes==
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{{LB Lambeth}}
{{London Districts}}
[[Category:Neighbourhoods of Lambeth]]
[[Category:Districts of London]]
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