Hanwell Asylum

The (1st Middlesex) County Asylum at Hanwell, also known as Hanwell Insane Asylum, and Hanwell Pauper and Lunatic Asylum, was built for the pauper insane and is now the West London Mental Health (NHS) Trust (WLMHT). The 2nd Middlesex was Colney Hatch Asylum, opened in 1851, and the 3rd was Banstead Asylum in Surrey, opened in 1877. Hanwell was the first purpose-built asylum in England and Wales opening in 1831, there were earlier asylums such as the York Retreat but these used converted houses. It is quite possible that Hanwell was the first purpose-built asylum in the world. Its first superintendent, Dr William Charles Ellis, was known in his lifetime for his pioneering work and his adherence to his "great principle of therapeutic...