William Brown Library and Museum

The land for the building on what was then called Shaw's Brow as well as much of the funding was provided by local MP and merchant Sir William Brown, 1st Baronet of Astrop, in whose honour the street was renamed.

Following on from the then-recently completed St. George's Hall across the street, the new building was designed by Thomas Allom in a classical style including Corinthian columns and was modified by the Liverpool Corporation architect John Weightman.

With Liverpool being one of the country's key ports, much of the city was badly damaged by German bombing during the Second World War and William Brown Library and Museum were no exception.

Key parts of the museum's collection had been previously moved to less vulnerable locations and damage to those avoided.

Plans have now been brought forward to redevelop the library, replacing the post–World War II additions with state-of-the-art facilities.