Our history
In 1785, Sir William Blizard established England’s first medical school, The London Hospital Medical College, to improve the health of east London’s inhabitants. Together with St Bartholomew’s Medical College, founded by John Abernethy in 1843 to help those living in the City of London, these two historic institutions are the bedrock of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
Historical timeline
St Bartholomew’s Hospital is founded to help the poor of West Smithfield in the suburbs of the City of London.
1123
The London Hospital, known as the London Infirmary, is founded to help poor communities living in London’s East End.
1740
1785
1791
St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College is established.
1843
Elizabeth Blackwell enrols for classes at St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College. She goes on to become was the first woman to get a medical degree in the US, and a champion of medical education for women.
1850
The London and St Bartholomew's became constituent bodies under the University of London.
1900
The Dental School at the London Hospital opens.
1911
Royal Commission on Medical Education is established creating a link between the two medical colleges.
1968
The Medical College of St. Bartholomew's and The London Hospital Medical College merge to become Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
1992
Queen Mary and Westfield College merge with Bart’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
1995
2009
Queen Mary becomes one of the 24 leading UK universities who make up the prestigious Russell Group.
2012
