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The first mention of Egham comes from 670 AD. A Chertsey charter speaks of a settlement named Egeham. The name derives from the proper noun Ecga which was most likely a person of local importance and the word “ham” which means farm or home. The Domesday Book records the area under the same name. It was one of the Surrey settlements that rendered the most money, £30. In the 13th century, this area belonged to the Chertsey Abbey. It included Runnymede, the place where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215. A sculpture that shows King John and Robert Fitzwalter signing the document can be seen on Church Road. Artist David Parfitt made the sculpture. King William IV attended the horse races at Runnymede meadow.
Egham was home to Theodor Seuss Geisel who is better known by his pen name Dr. Seuss. He stayed here during World War II while working on Your Job in Germany movie. His book Green Eggs and Ham is inspired by this TW20 area. Strode’s College was founded in 1704. It bears the name of resident Henry Strode who donated £6,000 to build a school in this area. Egham got its railway station in 1856. The sign says “Egham, for Royal Holloway, University of London”. The University’s campus can be found on the higher part of this West London area, Egham Hill.
Actress Hilda Braid lived in Egham. She is known for her role as Victoria Moon in EastEnders. She played this role from 2002 until 2005, two years before her death. One of the episodes she played in won the British Soap Award for Best Single Episode. Philologist Frederick James Furnivall was born in Egham. He is best known as the co-creator of the Oxford English Dictionary. He is also one of the founders of the London Working Men’s College and numerous literary societies.