Born in 1802 in Elgin, James Grant first established himself as a reporter and then as a leading newspaper editor in Victorian London, heading the Morning Chronicle for two decades before moving on to the Christian Standard. His 1839 Travels in Town was designed as a companion piece to his earlier reflections on London, The Great Metropolis (1838) and Sketches in London (1838). This two-volume work reflects Grant's enthusiasm for 'this modern Babylon' and his lively interest in the intricacies of everyday life there. Interweaving general descriptions with specific local information, volume 1 focuses on central London, observing major streets (including Downing Street) and the British Museum, while Volume 2 describes the post office and bookselling in Paternoster Row before turning its attention to the city's various religious denominations.