Building    From 1775 

Cleveland Street Workhouse

Categories: Medicine, Social Welfare

Created with an Act of Parliament in 1775, initially for the parish of St Paul in Covent Garden, this is the most intact example of an 18th century workhouse institution left standing in London. Joseph Rogers was appointed to the post of Medical Officer in 1856 and remained for thirty years. The name changes of the building over the years briefly summarise its history: St Paul Covent Garden Workhouse or simply Covent Garden Workhouse; Strand Union Workhouse; Central London Sick Asylum; Cleveland Street Infirmary; Middlesex Hospital Annexe; Middlesex Hospital Outpatient Department. At this point, 2008, it was scheduled for demolition but a spirited campaign, with some help from Charles Dickens, got it it listed in 2011 and it was saved. The picture source website is an invaluable resource.

2017: Now the Nightingale wards at the back and the burial ground, used for the paupers, are at risk from the developers. Read about one burial there, of an "Italian boy" who was murdered by "body-snatchers" so they could sell his body: An East End Murder & A West End Grave. And Florence Nightingale's connection is detailed here. We hope Camden does the right thing and protects this historic fabric.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Cleveland Street Workhouse

Commemorated ati

Charles Dickens - W1

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F. Donald MacKenzie

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1 memorial
League of the Royal Free Hospital Nurses

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Loughton Red Cross Military Hospital / Braeside VAD Hospital

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From the magnificent Lost Hospitals of London: "In December 1914 Braeside was accepted by the War Office for use as an auxiliary military hospital. The Braeside V.A.D. Hospital opened in January 19...

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1 memorial
Councillor David Avery

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Previously viewed

Hornsey Central Hospital war memorial - pier heads

Hornsey Central Hospital war memorial - pier heads

N8, Park Road, 151, Hornsey Central Health Centre

We think these stones topped the gate piers at the street entrance to the memorial building.

1 subject commemorated
Roman road

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Place, Romans, Transport

4 memorials
Westminster City Council

Westminster City Council

The ancient parish of St Margaret's was divided into St Margaret's and St John's in 1727 but it was still run as a single vestry. In 1855 the two parishes were reformed into the Westminster Distric...

Group, Politics & Administration

183 memorials
Christ's Hospital

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8 memorials
World War 2

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Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

379 memorials