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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Royal Albert Hall
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(London SW7)Domed hall, appearing round but in fact slightly oval, which was built in 1868–71 as a memorial to Prince *Albert. The design was by Francis Fowke (1823–65). The profits from the *Great Exhibition provided £50,000, but the greater part of the funds was raised by selling 999-year leases on more than 1300 seats. The owners of these still go free to all events apart from some 80 each year (by recent agreement).
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The hall has been used for a wide range of occasions and spectacles, including boxing matches. A notorious echo made it relatively unsuitable for music (it was said to be the only place where a British composer could be sure of hearing his work twice) until absorbent discs were suspended from the dome in 1968. The hall has been best known in the past half century as the home of the *Proms.
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