English: Greenman Street, Islington The building seen here, on the south side of Greenman Street, is part of the Peabody Trust's Islington Estate. Peabody housing was the idea of American philanthropist George Peabody who moved to London and set about tackling the poverty he saw there. This block dates from 1865, making it one of the earliest examples; the characteristic architecture may seem rather severe to modern eyes, but this was a vast improvement on the slum accommodation that was occupied by many Victorian Londoners. Today, the Peabody Trust is a charitable institution housing about 50,000 people with estates - of varying vintages - across London.