Maria Dickin
Person Female Born 22/9/1870 Died 1/3/1951
Social reformer and animal welfare pioneer. Born at 1 Farrington Terrace (Now 41 Cassland Road), Hackney. She saw the plight of sick animals and owners who could not afford veterinary fees, whilst visiting the east end of London. This compelled her to open the first People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in a cellar in Whitechapel. She did not charge for the services given and for the rest of her life she was threatened with hostility by fee-charging vets.
Instituted the PDSA Dickin Medal in 1943 to honour, initially, the work of animals in WW2. Wikipedia gives the list of 72 recipients to date. Died at her home, 4 Lansdowne House, Lansdowne Road, Kensington (which has a blue plaque for the artists who lived in the studios there.
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