Notable Dates
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. |
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. |
1775 | Silver medal introduced. |
1776 | The Society known as the "Humane Society" |
1781 | Bible given to everyone restored |
1783 | King George III becomes first patron |
1787 | Society known as "Royal Humane Society" |
1789 | Electricity used in restoration procedures |
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. |
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. |
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". |
1830 | British and Foreign Bible Society make an annual gift of 50 Bibles to be given to people saved from committing suicide. |
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. |
1837 | Introduction of Bronze Medal |
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. |
1869 | Queen Victoria authorises all the Society's medals to be worn on the right breast. |
1873 | Stanhope Gold Medal instituted. Captain Matthew Webb is the first holder. |
1891 | "In Memoriam" awards are introduced. Medals were awarded for a time, but from 1938 they became Testimonials on Vellum. |
1895 | “Stories of the Royal Humane Society” by Frank Mundell published by the Sunday Schools Union. |
1940 | Receiving House in Hyde Park is damaged by enemy action. |
1954 | Receiving House is demolished. |
1959 | Society is incorporated by Royal Charter. |
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). |
1974 | The Society's 200th anniversary is celebrated at St Paul's Cathedral. HM the Queen attends the reception afterwards at Haberdashers' Hall. HRH Princess Alexandra becomes President. |
1983 | Dame Mary Donaldson, a Committee member since 1968, becomes Lord Mayor of London. |
1998 | Approximately 1,336 silver medals and 11,230 bronze medals awarded since 1774 |
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. |