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
Old Operating Theatre
It was a conversion of part of the garret of St Thomas's Church in 1822. The odd location is explained by the fact that it abutted the female surgical ward of St Thomas's. The hospital began to mov...
Hospital Group
We used to have this group's logo and link to their webesite but they contacted us in July 2013 requesting that we take it down. This is the first time we have ever received such a request but of ...
Arthur Stanley Wint
Olympic gold medallist. Born in Plowden, Manchester, Jamaica. In 1942, he joined the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and was sent to Britain for active combat in World War II. He left the RA...
Person, Armed Forces, Medicine, Politics & Administration, Sport / Games, Caribbean Islands, Denmark, Sweden
Medical Society of London
Founded by Dr Lettsom. Originally based in the City, the Medical Society moved to its present house, Lettsom House, 11 Chandos Street, in 1873.