Person    | Male  Born 4/7/1845  Died 19/9/1905

Dr Barnardo

Missionary and social worker with the British poor, especially children. Born Thomas John Barnardo in Dublin with a Prussian father. "Brought to Christ" in 1862. Arrived at 30 Coburn Street in 1866, on his way to be a missionary in China. Whilst waiting to be accepted he started studying medicine at the London Hospital and began missionary-type work in the East End. He never qualified but used the title 'Doctor' and even forged qualifications. Supported by Lord Shaftesbury he opened the first "Dr Barnardo’s Home" for children in 1870.

The Edinburgh Castle was a pub in Rhodeswell Road, Limehouse which Barnardo took over and re-opened in 1873 as the British Working Men's Coffee Palace. 1876 opened the Girls' Village Home in Barkingside. 1877 set up a school where the Ragged School Museum now is.

When he died the charity he had founded was running 96 children's homes. Died at Leonard's Lodge, his home in Surbiton. One of his daughters, Syrie, married first Henry Wellcome and then Somerset Maugham. She was an interior designer in the 1920s and 30s, credited with creating the first white room - see the Library Time Machine.

Like many working in this field, Barnardo campaigned against prostitution. This brought him into contact with prostitutes and consequently he has been named as a candidate for Jack the Ripper.

At the Dignity Funeral Museum in Rosebery Avenue we read that Barnardo was one of only two people who made the journey to their final resting place courtesy of the tube: Gladstone and Barnardo. So we investigated Barnardo's death. From Surbiton his body was taken to lie in state for 3 days at the Edinburgh Castle and was then processed through the streets to Liverpool Street Station. From here it was taken to Barkingside where he was buried, in what is now Barkingside Park/Recreation Ground. We can't find it specifically stated anywhere but the Central Line provides an excellent connection from Liverpool Street Station to Barkingside, so it seems that was the chosen means of transportation.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Dr Barnardo

Commemorated ati

Dr. Barnado - Coborn Street

30 Coborn Street. Here Doctor Barnardo first lodged on coming to London in 1...

Read More

Dr. Barnardo - Ben Jonson Road

Doctor Barnardo, 1845 - 1905, began his work for children in a building on th...

Read More

Dr Barnardo - Bow Road

This plaque contradicts English Heritage's rules about erecting only one plaq...

Read More

Dr. Barnardo - Cable Street

Barnado Gardens. This block was built by the London County Council in 1957. I...

Read More

The Children's Fold

182 Grove Road. From 1888 to 1911 "The Children's Fold" or "Sheppard House". ...

Read More

Other Subjects

Dr Burnhart Gloss

Dr Burnhart Gloss

From Walking Through London's History: "... included Dr Burnhart Gloss, originally from Australia, and now a resident working as a professional clown."

Person, Children, Humour, Theatre, Australia

1 memorial
National Schools / St John's Highbury Vale Primary School

National Schools / St John's Highbury Vale Primary School

We have decoded the following from British History On-line Opened 1836 as Highbury Vale School with 102 middle school pupils. 1864 the site was enlarged and the school rebuilt as Christ Church Nati...

Building, Children, Education

1 memorial
Punch and Judy

Punch and Judy

Punch's Puppet Show was first performed in England and witnessed by Samuel Pepys 1662, in Covent Garden. And still popular in 2015.

Concept, Children, Theatre

2 memorials
Central Foundation Girls School

Central Foundation Girls School

Moved from Spital Square in 1975 to the building in Bow Road.  Spitalfields Life reports on a 2013 school reunion at the old building, which is now Galvin Restaurant - old photos and reminiscences.

Group, Children, Education

1 memorial
Lady Eleanor Keane

Lady Eleanor Keane

Pioneer in youth work. Born Eleanor Lucy Hicks-Beach, eldest daughter of 1st Earl St Aldwyn. On Valentine's day 1907, just 2 months before laying the foundation stone, she married the Irishman Sir ...

Person, Children, Social Welfare

1 memorial