“Mr. Treasurer” — the Real Power

Hospitals and care for the poor in the 19th Century were provided by charitable institutions which were supported by generous benefactors. The rich paid for their own doctors and care at home. It was all very rudimentary.

By the late 19th Century, London was teeming with people who were jammed into overcrowded, filthy and insanitary conditions. Those in work were often injured in the course of their work. Poverty drove many women and children to prostitution and disease.

London Slums in 1872 in the Whitechapel area

Drunkenness and malnourishment were rife. Consequently, the demand for bigger hospitals and more care, and more funds, escalated year on year. It was getting out of control. This placed great burdens on the benefactors so those in charge of local hospitals held fund-raising events, flag days, and vied with each other to have the patronage of members of “Society”, titled and connected people, and above all, wealthy people.

As the funds flowed in, and their disbursements became more complicated, hospitals found themselves in need of more than a lowly clerk or local churchman to administer the monies. Continue reading →