skip to main content
The Royal Parks web site uses cookies. By browsing you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read our cookie policy
  • Home
  • Royal Parks
  • Support
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Shop
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • searchsearch
The Royal Parks menu
  • Visitor information
    • The parks after lockdown
    • Café North Lodge
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Wildlife of Brompton Cemetery
    • Contact Brompton Cemetery
  • Map of Brompton Cemetery
  • Burial facilities
  • Burial and cremation searches
  • What's on
    • Sign up to the Brompton Cemetery newsletter
    • Latest news
    • Upcoming events in Brompton Cemetery
    • Poetry competition winners
  • Explore Brompton Cemetery
    • Famous graves and burials
    • Symbols in the Cemetery
    • Self-led walk: The Spider Stroll
    • Brompton Cemetery in film
    • The Quick and the Dead
    • Queerly Departed
    • Tales from the Catacombs
  • About Brompton Cemetery
    • The Brompton Cemetery Conservation Project
  • Donate
searchSearch
  • The Royal Parks
  • Visitor information
    arrow_drop_down
    • The parks after lockdown
    • Café North Lodge
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Wildlife of Brompton Cemetery
    • Contact Brompton Cemetery
  • Map of Brompton Cemetery
  • Burial facilities
  • Burial and cremation searches
  • What's on
    arrow_drop_down
    • Sign up to the Brompton Cemetery newsletter
    • Latest news
    • Upcoming events in Brompton Cemetery
    • Poetry competition winners
  • Explore Brompton Cemetery
    arrow_drop_down
    • Famous graves and burials
    • Symbols in the Cemetery
    • Self-led walk: The Spider Stroll
    • Brompton Cemetery in film
    • The Quick and the Dead
    • Queerly Departed
    • Tales from the Catacombs
  • About Brompton Cemetery
    arrow_drop_down
    • The Brompton Cemetery Conservation Project
  •  
  • Donate
    • Home
    • Royal Parks
    • Support
    • Media Centre
    • Careers
    • Shop
    • About us
    • Contact us
  • Brompton Cemetery
  • 
  • Explore Brompton Cemetery
  • 
  • Famous graves and burials
  • 

Dr Benjamin Golding

Dr Benjamin Golding (1793 - 1863)

A medical pioneer who founded Charing Cross Hospital

Physician and teacher Benjamin Golding was dedicated to providing free medical treatment to the poor. He also had the brilliant and revolutionary idea of integrating medical schools with hospitals, to ensure people would be treated effectively now and in future. He achieved both aims when he founded the West London Infirmary, which later became Charing Cross Hospital. It was the first hospital of its kind in London.

Benjamin Golding Charing X engraving Charing Cross Hospital and Medical School in 1881. (Credit: Wellcome Collection)

Benjamin studied medicine in Edinburgh, and trained to be a doctor at St Thomas Hospital in London. He then opened a practice at his home in Westminster, where he provided free treatment for the poor and needy. In 1823 he raised money to establish the West London Infirmary, which opened with just 12 beds. Ten years later, the hospital was relocated and became Charing Cross Hospital and Medical School.

Benjamin Golding Charing X 1972 Charing Cross Hospital being developed in 1972. (Credit: Wellcome Collection)

The Golding family mausoleum (Credit: Greywolf)

Benjamin studied medicine in Edinburgh, and trained to be a doctor at St Thomas Hospital in London. He then opened a practice at his home in Westminster, where he provided free treatment for the poor and needy. In 1823 he raised money to establish the West London Infirmary, which opened with just 12 beds. Ten years later, the hospital was relocated and became Charing Cross Hospital and Medical School.

Benjamin remained as director of the hospital and medical school until he retired. He also found time to write the histories of St Thomas and Charing Cross hospitals.

  • Historic England Listing
  • Wikipedia Golding
  • Wikipedia Charing Cross Hospital
The Golding family mausoleum

(Credit: Greywolf)

Benjamin Golding portrait

(Credit: ClipArtQueen.com)

Help us improve our website by providing your feedback.

Website user survey

close

search
Explore the Royal Parks
  • Hyde Park
  • Kensington Gardens
  • Richmond Park
  • Bushy Park
  • St James's Park
  • The Green Park
  • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
  • Greenwich Park
  • Greenwich Park Revealed - Park Restoration Project
  • Brompton Cemetery
  • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • Grosvenor Square Garden
Support the parks
  • Make a donation
  • Give a significant gift 
  • Leave a gift in your Will 
  • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
  • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
  • Become a partner
  • Corporate volunteering
  • Tributes in your local park
Media Centre
  • Press Releases
  • Royal Parks News Permit
  • Filming and photography
  • Royal Parks Image Library
  • News Archive
  • Trooping the Colour media accreditation
About us
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Procurement
  • Partner organisations
  • Publications
  • Friends of The Royal Parks
  • Contact us
  • Modern Slavery Statement
Connect with us
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Watch our videos on YouTube
The Royal Parks

The Royal Parks is a registered charity (No. 1172042) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. 10016100 (VAT No. 261 4640 19)

Copyright © The Royal Parks 2016-2022 | Head Office: The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London. W2 2UHTerms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

close

Subscribe to our eNewsletter today

Be the first to hear our latest news and read about upcoming events, learning and volunteering opportunities, fundraising and park improvement projects when you sign up to our mailing list.

Aerial view of Regents