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
Sir Archibald McIndoe
Born Dunedin, New Zealand. Pioneering plastic surgeon who worked for the Royal Air Force during World War II, treating badly burnt aircrew. Appointed C.B.E. in 1944. Knighted 1947. Helped found ...
Normansfield Asylum
See Lost Hospitals of London for an excellent history of this hospital. Briefly: The White House, a mansion with 5 acres of grounds, was built in 1866. Dr Langdon Down and his wife Mary bought it ...
Dr Abraham I. Silverman
Founded the Camden Road doctors' surgery in the late 1920s in the building where he also lived. He served there as a GP for 60 years, keeping the surgery open through the Blitz. It is one of the ...
Mrs E. McCaffrey
Lady District Officer in the St John Ambulance Brigade, No. 1 District, 1918-1942. Serving Sister in the Order of St John.
Person, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration
Elsie Inglis
Elsie Maud Inglis was an innovative doctor, pioneering surgeon, inspiring teacher, suffragist, and founder of the Scottish Women's Hospitals. Member of Women’s Liberal Federation and Federation of ...
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them