5 flats of famous (dead) people in London

With a history that dates back to the time of the Romans, many historical figures have walked through the streets and alleys of old and new London. For many of these notable figures, they even managed to call the city their home. From authors to politicians, celebrities to artists, all have drawn inspiration from the City of London.

Left to right: Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Benjamin Franklin, L. Ron Hubbard, and Amy Winehouse. (Images from Wikipedia Commons, Flickr))

1. Karl Marx (May 1818 - March 1883)

The restaurant Quo Vadis where Karl Marx once lived in Soho, London. (Instagram: @dcpae).

For the man many have come to know as a staunch critic of capitalism, Karl Marx would probably not be happy knowing that his London flat has now become a posh restaurant and private club in one of busiest commercial districts in London.

As the co-author of 'The Communist Manifesto' (written together with Friedrich Engels), the German lawyer and philosopher believed that the human struggle is based on class struggles--the proletariat versus the bourgeoise.

It was in 1849 that Marx, together with his wife, moved to London and spent the remainder of his life in the city while producing some of his most important works. He died on 14 March 1883 and is buried not far from his home at Highgate Cemetery in London.

Address: 28 Dean Street, Soho, London

2. L. Ron Hubbard (March 1911 - January 1986)

Founder of the Church of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard lived in Fitzroy House shortly after the church was founded in New Jersey. (Instagram: @antpunchphoto)

In the 1950s, Fitzroy House was the home of L. Ron Hubbard, American science fiction writer and, most notably, the founder of the Church of Scientology.

It was in 1957 that Hubbard made London his home and, in the process, produced many of his best works of fiction--and religious texts, as well. (The Church of Scientology was established in 1953 in Camden, New Jersey.) Since then, 37 Fitzroy Street has become a museum open to the public dedicated to Hubbard and his work which include original manuscripts, first edition books, photographs taken by Hubbard, and other unique artefacts.

The structure, meanwhile, still in its original 1791 form, is one of the last remaining buildings in the area that has retained its original exterior.

Address: Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy St, Bloomsbury, London W1T 6DX

Website: www.fitzroyhouse.org

3. Sigmund Freud (May 1856 - September 1939)

Sigmund Freud's home has now become a museum of the history of psychoanalysis. (Instagram: @y_watan)

The father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, only spent a year in London. This was because when he moved to the city in 1938 from Vienna, Austria to escape the Nazis, he would later die of cancer in 1939. However, according to the Freud Museum London, the property still remained the family home until his youngest daughter, Anna, died in 1982.

Since then, the house has become a shrine to the elder Freud, displaying his collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Oriental antiquities; his library, and artefacts from his work including--arguably the most famous piece of furniture in pop culture history--Freud's psychoanalytic couch.

Address: 20 Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SX

Website: www.freud.org.uk

4. Benjamin Franklin (January 1706 - April 1790)

Benjamin Franklin lived in London when he was trying to broker peace between the British government and its US colonies. (Instagram: @arinainlondonland)

How did one of the Founding Fathers of the United States find his way to London town? It was actually from 1757 to 1775 that Franklin moved to London to become the colonial representative for Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. He attempted to reconcile the British government with its colonies, but failed.

When he returned to America, the war of independence had broken out and he decided to join the struggle. Two years after he left London, he drafted the Declaration of Independence. The structure, built in 1730, is now the world's only remaining Franklin home and has become a museum and educational facility.

Address: 36 Craven St, London WC2N 5NF

Website: www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org

5. Amy Winehouse (September 1983 - July 2011)

It was in her Camden home that Amy Winehouse was discovered to have died from accidental alcohol poisoning in 2011. (Instagram: adenovis)

London and it's many pubs and music venues have played a huge part in Amy Winehouse's music. She was born in London, was in the city (involuntarily due to being denied a US visa) when she won five Grammy Awards for her 2006 album 'Back to Black', shot the music video for'Rehab' at 33 Portland Place in Marylebone, and 'Back to Black' at the Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington.

However it's her Camden home that fans and admirers come back to. When she died on July 23, 2011 from accidental alcohol poisoning, 30 Camden Square became a huge shrine to the music star with fans from all over the world leaving flowers, letters, and candles as a shrine to the "Rehab" singer.

Address: 30 Camden Square, London NW1 9XA