Densely populated working-class housing mixed with mansion flats for the middle classes, and a proposal for a penitentiary near present-day Clapham Junction - just some of the aspects of the extraordinary evolution of Battersea during the 19th century.

The developments are charted in a new book by The Wandsworth Historical Society, Aspects of Battersea History 1770 – 1910.

The Battersea district grew from a few hamlets such as Battersea village and settlements along former coach routes, the book says, with many architectural landmarks in the area completed after 1770.

The grade 1 listed Church of St Mary, which forms the focus of the surviving remnants of Battersea Village set around Battersea Square, was built in 1775 incorporating a stained glassed window from 1630, replacing referred to in a papal bull in 1157.

The bridge of 1772 was replaced by the current Battersea Bridge dating from 1890 - the nearby Albert Bridge by R M Ordish was opened in 1873 - but the major London landmark of Battersea Power station by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott came slightly too late for the book, being built in 1932.

The development of the railways after 1840 allowed Battersea’s population to increase from 6,600 in 1841 to 169,000 by 1901, the book says, and documents how Clapham junction station provided the major focus for transformation of the area during the nineteenth century.

As railway companies built a new network of lines during the 1840s, 50, and 60s the station became, and still is, the busiest railway interchange in the country.

Despite the station being in the heart of Battersea the name of Clapham was chosen by the companies because in those days considered a smarter area.

The book is written by Dr Keith Bailey, an award-winning writer and former editor of the Wandsworth Historian.

Copies of Aspects of Battersea History 1770 – 1910 are available price £9.00 plus £1.50 for post and packaging from Neil Robson, 119 Heythorp Street, SW18 5BT or by emailing ngrobson@tiscali.co.uk.