Group    From 1829 

Metropolitan Benefit Societies Asylum

Categories: Social Welfare

The MBSA was created by John Christopher Bowles to 'afford an asylum for the reception of aged and infirm members of Friendly Societies' who lived in or near London.  Patrons were Queen Victoria and her mother, the Duchess of Kent.  At first this was provided in houses rented for the purpose but once they had the funds they built the almshouses, designed by S. H. Ridley, with the Lord Mayor laying the foundation stone of the north block on 17 August 1836 (the Duchess's birthday) providing accomodation for 28 residents.  In 1865-6 the side wings added homes for 64 couples.  The west wing is named after Mary Ann Mackenzie who helped fund it.  By WW2 the name had changed to Metropolitan Benefit Societies Almshouses.  It is now a registered housing association.

The picture is from c.1863.  All images that we have found show the building complete so we imagine the side wings were only delayed rather than not originally intended.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Metropolitan Benefit Societies Asylum

Commemorated ati

Metropolitan Benefit Societies almshouses

Seems likely the plaques were put up when the side wings were added, in 1865-6.

Read More

Other Subjects

Commissioners of Sewers

Commissioners of Sewers

The City of London was well in advance of other parts of London when it came to sewerage.

Group, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Florence Booth

Florence Booth

Born in Monmouthshire as Florence Eleanor Soper (her father having the odd first name of 'Isabell'). Joined the Salvation Army in 1880 and met Bramwell through his sister Catherine, marrying him in...

Person, Social Welfare, Wales

1 memorial
Lady Isabella Somerset

Lady Isabella Somerset

President of the British Women's Temperance Association , 1890 - 1903, founded of the first industrial farm for inebriate women and set up a home for training workhouse children. Born in London as...

Person, Food & Drink, Philanthropy, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Countess Mountbatten of Burma

Countess Mountbatten of Burma

Vicereine of India and director of emergency relief services. Born Edwina Cynthia Annette Ashley at 32 Bruton Street. A leading member of London society, she married Lord Louis Mountbatten in 1922....

Person, Politics & Administration, Social Welfare, Borneo, India

1 memorial
Werner Robert Valentin Picht

Werner Robert Valentin Picht

German sociologist. An early historian of English settlements. Published 'Toynbee Hall and the English Settlement Movement' in 1913. Werner Robert Valentin Picht was born on 28 September 1887 in B...

Person, History, Social Welfare, Germany

1 memorial