A Short History of St. George's Hospital and the Origins of Its Ward Names

This short history covers the period from the formation of St George's in 1733, its rebuilding at Hyde Park Corner in the 1830s, to its eventual development in South London on the Grove Fever and Fountain Hospital sites. When the original building opened, each of its wards was named after benefactors. However, as time went on and the source of funding changed, it was felt more appropriate to commemorate doctors and others who had made significant contributions to the hospital and to medicine in general. Comprehensive biographical details are given of the personalities whose names are presently attached to wards and other areas. A number of buildings and corridors have place-names associated with the hospital's history and development, and these are also described in full. In describing the personalities and the place-names the authors have taken the opportunity to enlarge upon certain key aspects of the hospital's history.