A priory for the Order of the Star of Bethlehem, built in 1247 on Bishopsgate at Liverpool Street, started admitting mental patients in 1357. This was probably the world's first institution to specialise in mental illness. It developed into a horrible place, known as Bedlam, dedicated to the commitment of the insane. In 1676 it moved to the London Wall site and it was this building that was adorned with the Cibber statues of Raving and Melancholy Madness. In 1815 Bedlam moved to the St George's Fields site (at that time owned by the City of London) in Southwark and, when in 1930 it moved out to a site near Beckenham, the Southwark buildings became the Imperial War Museum.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Bethleham Hospital 1&2
Commemorated ati
Bethlehem Hospital - first
Site of the first Bethlehem Hospital 1247 - 1676. The Corporation of the City...
Bethlehem Hospital - second
Site of the second Bethlehem Hospital, 1676 -1815. The Corporation of the Cit...
Gift from Lord Rothermere
This plaque was unveiled a second time, during the 75th anniversary celebrati...
Harmsworth - IWM
In 1926 Harold Harmsworth, the first Viscount Rothermere, bought the grounds ...
Other Subjects
Francis T. Gregg
M.A. Secretary of Institute of The Ophthalmic Opticians, Refraction Hospital in 1929.
Sam Osborn, FRCS
District Chief Surgeon in the St John Ambulance Brigade, Metropolitan Corps, 1887-1907. Knight Grace in the Order of St John.
Person, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration
Dr Josiah Oldfield
Lawyer, physician, and writer on health. And creator of hospitals - read on. Born Shrewsbury. At Oxford University he became a vegetarian and a friend of Gandhi. First qualified as a barrister and...
Robert Bentley Todd
Physician. Born in Dublin. He became licensed at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, then moved to London, where he practised medicine and lectured. Best known for describing the condition po...
Mrs A. Calvin Lines
Lady District Superintendent in the St John Ambulance Brigade, Metropolitan Corps, 1893-1923. Dame Grace in the Order of St John.
Person, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration
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