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:
Bethlehem 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
Dr John Langdon Haydon Down
Doctor specialising in mental illnesses who classified what is now called Down's Syndrome in 1862. We think the family used 'Langdon Down' as their surname. Born Cornwall. Aged 18, he came to Lo...
1 memorial
1 memorial
Sir David Bruce
Born Melbourne, Australia but the family returned to Scotland when he was 5 . Pathologist and microbiologist, investigated sleeping sickness.
1 memorial
E. S. Abraham, MRCS, LRCP
Assistant Commissioner in the St John Ambulance Brigade, No. 1 (Prince of Wales's) District, 1933-1951. Officer in the Order of St John.
Person, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration
1 memorial
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