Editing Inner Temple (section)

===Eighteenth century to the present===
[[File:Samuel Ireland - Inner Temple - B1977.14.9481 - Yale Center for British Art.jpg|thumb|Inner Temple(1800) by [[Samuel Ireland]]]]
[[File:The Paper Buildings, Inner Temple, London - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|The Paper Buildings, Inner Temple (c 1725) artist unknown]]
[[File:Inner Temple Lane MET DP845350 ff.jpg|thumb|Sketch by Charles A. Platt 1883 of Middle Temple Lane (Inner Temple buildings on the right).]]
The 18th century was a period of relative stability, with an element of decline. The Benchers of the time were described as "opposed to all modern fashions, including new-fangled comforts", with the Inn's buildings deteriorating.<ref name="hist2">{{cite web|url=http://www.innertemplelibrary.org.uk/temple-history/inner-temple-history-introduction-part-2.htm|title=Inner Temple History – Introduction – Part 2|last=Baker|first=John|publisher=Inner Temple|access-date=24 November 2009}}</ref>
Much of the Temple was rebuilt during the 19th century, most noticeably the Hall and Library, although fever and disease continued as a result of the Inn's outdated systems; the same water was used both for drinking and for flushing the toilet, for example.<ref>''British Medical Journal'' (1994) p.74</ref> 

In 1922 the Temple called [[Ivy Williams]] to the bar, making her the first female barrister in England and Wales.<ref name="hist2"/> The Temple suffered massively during [[The Blitz]] in the Second World War, including attacks on 19 September and 26 September 1940, which destroyed the Library clocktower and the Hall respectively; on 10–11 May 1941 the Inn was hit by a series of incendiaries which destroyed the inside of Temple Church, the Hall, the Library and many sets of chambers. Fires continued to burn for another day, despite the assistance of the [[Fire Brigade]] and several barristers and employees.<ref name="Rider">{{cite web|url=http://www.innertemple.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=30|title=Phoenix from the Ashes: The Post-War Reconstruction of the Inner Temple|last=Rider|first=Clare|publisher=Inner Temple|access-date=24 November 2009}}</ref>

It was decided not to start rebuilding until after the cessation of hostilities, and plans began in 1944, when the Temple contacted the [[War Damage Commission]] to provide the £1.5 million to cover the damage. £1.4 million was provided, with the rest found elsewhere.<ref name="Rider"/> There was a further delay due to the Temple's choice of architect, [[Hubert Worthington]], who was so slow that the Benchers ended up replacing him with his junior associate, T.W. Sutcliffe, and eventually [[Edward Maufe|Sir Edward Maufe]]. The chambers were the priority, with parts of [[King's Bench Walk]] finished in 1949,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innertemple.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=30&limitstart=1|title=Phoenix from the Ashes: The Post-War Reconstruction of the Inner Temple – 2|last=Rider|first=Clare|access-date=24 November 2009}}</ref> and the final building (the Library) was opened on 21 April 1958.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innertemple.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=30&limitstart=2|title=Phoenix from the Ashes: The Post-War Reconstruction of the Inner Temple – 3|last=Rider|first=Clare|access-date=24 November 2009}}</ref>
[[File:Richard Wilson (1713-1714-1782) - The Inner Temple after the Fire of 4 January 1737 - N02984 - National Gallery.jpg|thumb|The Inner Temple after the Fire of 4 January 1737 by [[Richard Wilson (painter)|Richard Wilson]] (1714–1782), National Gallery.]]
[[File:Herbert Railton - The Inner Temple Library.jpg|thumb|The Inner Temple Library circa 1895 by [[Herbert Railton]] (1857–1910).]]
[[File:Old and New London, vol. 1 - p 175.png|thumb|Part of the Inner Temple, printed in ''Old and New London vol 1'' by [[George Walter Thornbury]] (1828–1876)]]
[[File:Room in Inner Temple Gate-house, 1899 by Philip Norman.jpg|thumb|Room in Inner Temple Gate-house 1899 by [[Philip Norman (artist)|Philip Norman]] (1842–1931).]]
In 2001 the Inner Temple bought the neighbouring 1–2 [[Serjeant's Inn]], which can be accessed directly from the Inner Temple, with the intention of converting it to barristers' chambers. However, instead, the premises has been let on a 99-year lease to Apex Hotels.<ref>[http://www.isarchitects.co.uk/page.php?id=60 Ian Springford Architects] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075031/http://www.isarchitects.co.uk/page.php?id=60 |date=17 October 2015 }} 1–2 Serjeant's Inn</ref> No. 3 Serjeant's Inn has been a barristers' chambers, occupying commercial premises, since 1986.<ref>[http://www.3serjeantsinn.com/chambers/history_of_serjeants_inn 3 Serjeant's Inn] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919225958/http://www.3serjeantsinn.com/chambers/history_of_serjeants_inn |date=19 September 2010 }} History</ref> Mitre Court, which connects the Inner Temple area, Serjeant's Inn and Fleet Street, is occupied as barristers' chambers, residential flats and more recently, solicitors.