Description:In 1766, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, fleeing persecution in France and Geneva, was offered refuge in England by David Hume. In March of that year he was living at Wootton Hall, the home of Richard Davenport. He composed parts of 'The Confessions' in a grotto at Wootton Hall. The Hall was demolished in 1931 but the façade to the grotto was acquired by William Podmore Snr. In 1960 it was reconstructed by the Pool Terrace at Consall Hall in by William Podmore OBE.
Wootton Hall, near Ellastone, was a large stone house originally built for the Davenport family which was extensively rebuilt in about 1837. Jean Jacques Rousseau stayed here for a year in 1766. It was demolished around 1931.
Photographer: R. & R. Bull, Ashbourne.