| 1774 |
Origins at Chapter Coffee House, St Paul's Churchyard, London. The founders, Dr William Hawes (1736-1808) and Dr Thomas Cogan (1736-1818), each invite 16 friends to form the "Humane Society for the recovery of persons apparently drowned." Among them is the playwright, Oliver Goldsmith. |
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| 12 July |
First award made to Thomas Vincent, a waterman, for saving a child who'd fallen through a trapdoor into a drain leading into the Thames. |
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| 1775 |
Silver medal introduced. |
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| 1776 |
The Society known as the "Humane Society" |
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| 1781 |
Bible given to everyone restored |
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| 1783 |
King George III becomes first patron |
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| 1787 |
Society known as "Royal Humane Society" |
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| 1789 | Electricity used in restoration procedures |
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| 1794 |
Land in Hyde Park given by George III to the Society. An old farmhouse on the site is used to give medical treatment to the rescued. |
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| 1806 |
Alexander I, Tsar of all the Russias, is awarded a gold medal for saving the life of a drowning peasant. He is the first foreigner to win the award. Other famous winners. |
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| 1824 |
Fothergillian Gold Medal essay prize instituted. To be awarded for the best proposal for "the prevention of shipwreck and the preservation of lives of shipwrecked mariners". |
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| 1830 |
British and Foreign Bible Society make an annual gift of 50 Bibles to be given to people saved from committing suicide. |
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| 1835 |
The Receiving House, where first aid could be given, is built in Hyde Park, close to the Serpentine. Architect: J.B. Bunning. Foundation Stone laid by the first Duke of Wellington. |
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| 1837 |
Introduction of
Bronze Medal |
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| 1838 |
Grace Darling and her father, William, are presented with specially struck gold medals for their rescue of shipwrecked sailors and passengers off the coast of Northumberland. |
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| 1869 |
Queen Victoria authorises all the Society's medals to be worn on the right breast. |
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| 1873 |
Stanhope Gold Medal instituted.
Captain Matthew Webb is the first holder. |
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| 1891 |
"In Memoriam" awards are introduced. Medals were awarded for a time, but they became (from 1938)
Testimonials on Vellum. |
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| 1895 |
Stories of the Royal Humane Society by Frank Mundell published by the Sunday Schools Union. |
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| 1940 |
Receiving House in Hyde Park is damaged by enemy action. |
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| 1954 |
Receiving House is demolished. |
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| 1959 |
Society is incorporated by Royal Charter. |
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| 1962 |
Eligibility for the Stanhope Gold Medal is extended to the Humane Societies of
Australasia
(founded 1874),
New South Wales (1877),
Canada (1894),
New Zealand (1898),
and Liverpool (1939). |
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| 1974 |
The Society's 200th anniversary is celebrated at St Paul's Cathedral. HM the Queen attends the reception afterwards at Haberdashers' Hall. |
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| HRH Princess Alexandra becomes President |
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| 1983 |
Dame Mary Donaldson, a Committee member since 1968, becomes Lord Mayor of London. |
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| 1998 |
Approximately 1,336 silver medals and 11,230 bronze medals awarded since 1774 |
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| 2000 |
The Police Medal is introduced for the bravest police officer of the year. The first winner is PC Wayne Martin of Bedfordshire Police who pulled an injured woman from a burning car. |