Other

Cholera Pump

Inscription

The Soho Cholera Epidemic.
Doctor John Snow (1813-1858) a noted anaesthetist lived near the focus of the 1854 Soho cholera epidemic which centred on Broad Street, as Broadwick Street was then called. In September of that year alone, over 500 people died in Soho from the disease. Snow had studied cholera in the 1848-9 epidemic in Southwark and Wandsworth. His theory that polluted drinking water was the source of transmission of the disease was confirmed when he mapped cholera deaths in Soho with the source of the victim's drinking water. He found that they were concentrated on the Broad Street public water pump. His theory initially met with some disbelief but such was his conviction that he had the pump handle removed to prevent its further use. Soon afterwards the outbreak ended.
The original pump is believed to have been situated outside the nearby 'Sir John Snow' Public House.
This water pump was unveiled by Councillor David Weeks Leader of Westminster City Council on 20 July 1992. It marks a pioneering example of medical research in the service of public health. The placement of this artefact and associated environmental improvements in Broadwick Street have been generously supported by Lynton plc.
City of Westminster

Still, this pump has no handle.

Site: John Snow Public House (3 memorials)

W1, Broadwick Street

When we first published this c.2009, the pump was on the north-east corner of the Broadwick Street / Poland Street junction. 2018: Londonist reported that the pump has been reinstalled, so we took a new photo.

Credit for this entry to: Bob Baker

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

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Cholera Pump

Subjects commemorated i

Dr. John Snow

Pioneer anaesthetist and epidemiologist. Born North Street in York. The site ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Cholera Pump

Created by i

Westminster City Council

The ancient parish of St Margaret's was divided into St Margaret's and St Joh...

Read More

David Weeks

David Weeks is a former Conservative Leader of Westminster City Council and s...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Cholera Pump

Also at this site i

Dr John Snow - RSC plaque

Dr John Snow - RSC plaque

RSC - advancing the chemical sciences National Chemical Landmark Dr John Snow...

Read More

Dr John Snow - site of pump

Dr John Snow - site of pump

The red granite kerbstone marks the site of the historic Broad Street pump as...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Blackfriars sundial

Blackfriars sundial

EC4, Riverside walk, City of London Boys School

Can we guess what 'building products' Ibstock contributed, and how many? Difficult.

1 subject commemorated, 7 creators
Alexander Mckenzie at Finsbury Park

Alexander Mckenzie at Finsbury Park

N4, Finsbury Park, McKenzie Gardens

Erected in 2019 and vandalised by the time we visited in 2023 - probably impossible to repair.

3 subjects commemorated
Thomas More - Woolwich Town Hall

Thomas More - Woolwich Town Hall

SE18, Wellington Street, Greenwich Town Hall

We can find no confirmation that More lived at Eltham, though he probably visited his daughter, Margaret Roper, at her home there. From e...

4 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Harlesden Clock Tower

Harlesden Clock Tower

NW10, High Street Harlesden

As often happens with memorials of this period the 'G's and 'C's are difficult to distinguish  - we think we've got them right. The body...

1 subject commemorated, 7 creators
Robert Peel pub

Robert Peel pub

EC2, Bishopsgate, 178, ex-pub

This building has been through interesting times. It looks like it started off in the Georgian period and had a major refacing round abou...

1 subject commemorated

Previously viewed

Queen Alexandra - SW1

Queen Alexandra - SW1

SW1, Marlborough Road

The building behind this monument, Marlborough House, was where Alexandra and Edward lived until he succeeded to the crown. And then, aft...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators