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The London Hospital The London Hospital, originally in Featherstone St, moved to Whitechapel in 1748. At the time the position chosen was criticised for, it was said, if was too rurally remote. It was England's largest hospital and is still in existence today. It had 35 wards and 439 beds and had a fixed income of 13,000 pounds a year mainly received from legacies and donations. It was open to the sick and accident casualties. Dr Barnado was a student there and Edith Cavell served there for 5 years before going to Brussels. Work was begun on the building in Whitechapel Rd in 1759. Further extensions were added in 1781, 1830 and 1840. Originally it was a house opened in Prescott St for sick and wounded seamen, watermen and dock labourers and was first known as the London Infirmary. At 123 (now 259) Whitechapel Road Joseph Merrick who was suffering severe disfigurement was once exhibited as a freak known as 'The Elephant Man'. Consulting Surgeon Frederick Treves of the London Hospital was horrified at this exploitation and took him under the protection of the hospital until he died in 1890.
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