The Royal Hospital of St. Bartholomew, 1123. Founded by Rahere, formerly a courtier of Henry I. In 1546 Henry VIII signed an agreement granting the hospital to the City of London.1562 The first physician was appointed 1729 - 1770 The hospital was rebuilt to designs by James Gibbs 1734 - 1737 The artist William Hogarth decorated the Grand Staircase with two magnificent paintings that depict the biblical stories of The Good Samaritan and Christ at the Pool of Bethesda and illustrate the spirit of the hospital's work. Among the many famous physicians and surgeons who have worked at Barts are: William Harvey, discoverer of the circulation of the blood and physician to Charles I; Percivall Pott, the leading 18th century surgeon, who gave his name to Pott's fracture and Pott's disease (of the spine); John Abernethy, founder of the hospital's medical school in 1822; James Paget, first warden of the school, who allowed Elizabeth Blackwell, one of the pioneers of medicine as a career for women, to study at Barts in 1850. In 1877 School of Nursing was opened and training was extended under Matron Miss Ethel Manson (later Bedford Fenwick), Britain's first state-registered nurse. In the 19th century Barts was one of the first hospitals to encourage the use of anaesthetics, making a great many more kinds of operation possible. In 1948 The hospital became part of the newly created NHS. In 1954 Barts was the first hospital in the country to offer mega-voltage radiotherapy for cancer patients. In April 1994 after public consultation, The Royal Hospitals NHS Trust was formed, amalgamating The Royal London, St Bartholomew's and The London Chest hospitals - the Trust was renamed Barts and The London NHS Trust in 1999.The Barts Archives and Museum are located in the North Wing of St Bartholomew's Hospital. The museum is open to all (admission free), Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm, and tells the story of one of the oldest hospitals in the world. Highlights include historic surgical instruments, sculpture, medieval archives and unique works of art, including spectacular paintings by William Hogarth, also Gibbs' plans for the courtyard, described as 'the finest open-air room in all England'. This grand scheme to a large extent survives.
I worked there as a radiographer in the mid nineteen-sixties.
I was officially welcomed as a member of staff in this Hall. One had to go through 6 months probation before the ceremony took place.
Most ancient is the hospital's original grant, written on a small piece of parchment in 1137 and still hanging heavy with seals.
There are also Gibbs' plans for the courtyard, described as 'the finest open-air room in all England'. This grand scheme to a large extent survives. Disgracefully the South Wing was demolished in 1935 though later rebuilt with many of the original stones.
There are also Gibbs' plans for the courtyard, described as 'the finest open-air room in all England'. This grand scheme to a large extent survives. Disgracefully the South Wing was demolished in 1935 though later rebuilt with many of the original stones.
Drawn by Tho. H. Shepherd.
Engraved by A. Cruse
Engraved by A. Cruse
A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604 A.D, a constant reminder to this great commercial centre of the importance of the spiritual side of life. The current Cathedral - the fourth to occupy this site - was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Its architectural and artistic importance reflect the determination of the five monarchs who oversaw its building that Londons leading church should be as beautiful and imposing as their private palaces. As the Cathedral of the capital city, St Pauls is the spiritual focus for the Nation. This is where people and events of overwhelming importance to the country have been celebrated, mourned and commemorated since the first Service took place in 1697. Since then important services have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria, King George V; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the launch of the Festival of Britain; the Service of Remembrance and Commemoration for the 11th September 2001: the 80th and 100th birthdays of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer and, most recently, the Thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.
While I was working at Bart's, the funeral for Sir Winston Churchill was held at St. Paul's Cathedral. There were many people who came in to the hospital to be treated for exposure. They had been lining up for days outside the cathedral.
This page contains a few of my London memories. I worked there for two years before I left for Canada. There are far too many places to name but these will be the most special.
My godmother owned part of a box at the Hall, so I was privileged to see concerts, ballet, dancing and many other events held there. I had to make my bookings with her well in advance in order to see my favourites. I did manage to see many including the Bolshoi ballet, the Georgian State dancers from the USSR, the American Bi-centennial concert and of course the "Last Night at the Proms".
