Introduction to the walking tour and Dr Thomas Barnardo

Welcome to this self-guided walking tour of Dr Thomas Barnardo’s east London presented by the Ragged School Museum and Queen Mary University of London.

In this walk we will be exploring the fascinating life of Dr Thomas Barnardo, a pioneer provider of child welfare during the Victorian era. We will take a journey through the bustling streets of the Victorian East End, taking a step back in time to trace the footsteps of a man who dedicated his life to the betterment of poor and destitute children.

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Thomas Barnardo was one of  seven children born to John and Abigail Barnardo. The family came from a modest background. Barnardo was driven by a profound Christian faith and was determined to carry out medical work with the China Inland Mission. He moved to London in 1866 to train at the Royal London Hospital.

However, upon arriving in London, Barnardo soon began his journey as a well-respected child philanthropist. He was appalled by the startling rates of poverty, disease, and the lack of educational opportunities available to poor Victorian children. He never completed his medical training and in 1867 opened a ragged school, the first of many charitable projects.

This tour will not only cover some of Barnardo’s charitable projects, it will also delve into personal aspects of his life. Barnardo’s marriage to Syrie Louise Elmslie and his friendships with influential figures such as Angela Burdett-Coutts were crucial, as his work was subject to public scrutiny and he faced legal challenges over his innovative, yet sometimes controversial, practices.

Each stop on the tour will reveal a chapter of Barnardo’s story, reflecting the social and economic conditions of the time that spurred his commitment to social change. You will see how his values were deeply influenced by his faith, surroundings and family. 

By the end of this tour, you will have a multifaceted understanding of the life of Dr Thomas Barnardo, viewing him not simply as a philanthropist, but a husband, friend and visionary, whose legacy remains in the East End of London.

You can trace a route following the order of our numbered sites (1 to 14) or choose your own path through the tour. We suggest the Ragged School Museum - and its café - as a half way point (or even a starting point!) The Museum and Ragged Café are open Wednesday to Sunday between 10am and 5pm. 

Image credits: reproduced with permission from the Barnardo's Archive. 

Audio narration: Romy Nuttall, Alastair Owens and Inayah Uddin

Safety

Please take care as you follow the tour, remaining vigilant of your surroundings. As you stop to view sites please think of your own safety and that of others. The Ragged School Museum and Queen Mary University of London accept no liability for loss or injury incurred while following this tour.

Credits 

This tour was created for the Ragged School Museum by Inayah Uddin of the School of Geography at Queen Mary University of London, supported by Prof Alastair Owens (Queen Mary University of London) and Dr Romy Nuttall (Ragged School Museum). We are grateful to Queen Mary University of London’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for funding the creation of the tour under its Student Researcher Bursary Scheme.

Thank you also to: Prof Tim Brown (Queen Mary University of London), Erica Davies (Ragged School Museum), the staff at Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives, and Megan Parker at Barnardo’s Archives, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

July 2024