Scalpels and Gamps: Doctors and Nurses in Dickens
About this Event
Join us for an engaging and entertaining afternoon with renowned medical historian and archivist Kevin Brown, who will explore how Charles Dickens portrayed doctors, nurses and medical care in nineteenth-century Britain.
Dickens was a keen observer of Victorian society, and his novels provide a remarkable window into the realities of illness, healthcare and the medical profession during a time of enormous social and medical change. Discover the stories behind some of Dickens's most memorable medical characters, including the unforgettable Sarah "Sairey" Gamp from Martin Chuzzlewit. Her comic yet controversial portrayal reflected widespread concerns about nursing standards before the major reforms of Florence Nightingale, and her name became synonymous with the untrained nurse in Victorian Britain.
Kevin Brown is Trust Archivist for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Curator of the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum. A graduate of Oxford University and University College London, he is an internationally recognised authority on the history of health and medicine and the author of numerous books on medical history.
Whether you are a fan of Dickens, fascinated by Victorian history, or simply curious about the evolution of healthcare, this promises to be a thought-provoking and enjoyable talk.
Event Details
📅 Date: Thursday 23 July 2026
🕑 Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Venue: Holy Trinity Sloane Square
☕ Refreshments: Tea, coffee and refreshments will be served.
We look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon exploring the captivating intersection of literature, medicine and Victorian society.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
