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Title
Memorial to Thomas Guy (1644–1724)
Date
1779
Medium
marble
Measurements
H 366 x W 230 x D 60 cm (E)
Accession number
G2002.137
Acquisition method
commissioned by the Governors of the Hospital
Work type
Relief
Signature/marks description
above inscription on right: J. Bacon Sculpsit 1779
Inscription description
front centre below relief: Underneath are deposited the remains of / THOMAS GUY / Citizen of London, Member of Parliament / and the sole founder of this Hospital / in his Life-time. / It is peculiar to this beneficent man to have persevered during a long course / of prosperous industry in pouring fourth to the wants of Others, all that he had / earned by labour or withheld from self-indulgence. Warm with Philanthropy, / and exalted by Charity his Mind expanded to those noble affections which grow / but too rarely from the most elevated pursuits. After administering with extensive / bounty to the claims of Consanguinity, he established this Asylum for that stage / of Languor and Disease to which the Charities of others had not reached. He / provided a Retreat for the hopeless Insanity and rivalled the endowments of kings. / He died the 27th of December 1724, in the 80th year of his age.