Certificate, London, England, 1920

Certificate, framed and mounted, of election to Life Governorship of the National Hospital for Diseases of the Heart awarded by the North London Philanthropic Society to Edward Whiteman, 1920

Edward Whiteman was elected Life Governor of the National Hospital for Diseases of the Heart in London in 1920. This certificate to mark the event was issued by the North London Philanthropic Society. Before the arrival of the National Health Service in Britain, the activities of such societies were crucial in providing access to healthcare for the poorest in the community. Often formed by groups of wealthy social reformers, philanthropic societies performed a range of services, many of which were later taken up by the welfare state. The National Heart Hospital was founded in 1857 and was the first hospital specifically for diseases of the heart.