Each month we publish articles researched by our intrepid History Team on famous and infamous figures in Glebe’s past.  Here are some of our recent stories.

Comrade Clayton of Glebe Point Road: Walter Seddon Clayton The KGB called him ‘Klod’ – he was a Soviet spy and, in the 1940s, a resident of Glebe. Active in the Communist Party of Australia, Wally Clayton dropped from view after the Petrov affair, where his role in Soviet espionage was revealed. 

Dorothy Drain, journalist, war correspondent and editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly who lived at 52 Toxteth Road, Glebe. A blue plaque will mark the spot. 

John McVey Baird and family of 268 Glebe Point Road Members of the Baird family lived at today’s 268 Glebe Point Road for over seven decades. Their house called Eglinton was demolished in 1968 and home units now cover the site.

Sam Hood Commercial photographer and photojournalist Sam Hood lived at various addresses in Glebe and the suburb featured in many of his iconic images of everyday life, taken in early decades of the 20th century.

Ludolph Marcker was the Danish Consul in the early 1900s. He lived in three houses in Glebe and Forest Lodge: 16 Lodge St, 77 St Johns Rd (now 155 St Johns Rd) and 8 Kennedy St (now 49 Leichhardt St). Marcker was not without his enemies, some taking umbrage at his self-description as ‘Royal Danish Consul’, implying he was in the top tier of society while other diplomats were of a lesser rank.

Dr Rudolph Bohrsmann and racism Rudolph Bohrsmann was a respected doctor who set up a practice in Glebe in 1898. He was active in local politics and spoke out against poverty and poor housing. However, although born in Australia, he suffered from anti-German sentiment during World War I which put an end to his political aspirations.

Gone and Forgotten on Glebe Point Road.  The story of the grand dwellings that used to exist on the site of the current Anchorage development at 451 Glebe Point Road and the families who lived in them. Part 1 and Part 2

More about Glebe history, historical figures and who lived in your street.