MKG III: Asylums

Around the same time period (1780s-1820s) there was a distinct French parallel to many aspects of English life. This included the treatment and care of the mentally ill.

Charenton Charenton was known for its humanitarian treatment of patients, especially under its director the Abbé de Coulmier in the early 19th century.

Abbé de Coulmier as a French Catholic priest and abbot, and the director of the Charenton insane asylum inFrance in the early 19th century. He was often criticized for his "overly liberal" methods of treatment, as he favored allowing patients the right to express themselves via art, and discouraged the more primitive habits of crude physical restraint and punishment of mental patients of the day.

Sounds a lot like Willis' place in Lincolnshire.

Watch Quills. It's a good movie.

Greatford: The most famous use of Greatford Hall was as the abode and private asylum for Dr . Francis Willis.

Dr. Francis Willis.

The inscription on Willis' bust in Greatford Hall: Sacred to the memory of the Revd. Francis Willis M D who died on the 5th December 1807 in the 90th year of his age. He studied at Oxford, was Fellow and sometime Principal of Brasenose College, where in obedience to his father he entered Holy Orders; but pursuing the bent of his natural taste and inclination he took the degree of Doctor of Physic in the same University and continued the practice of his profession to the last hour of his life. Initiated early into the habits of observation and research he attained the highest eminence in his profession: and was happily the chief agent in removing the malady which afflicted the present majesty in the year 1789. On that occasion he displayed an energy and acuteness of mind which excited the admiration and produced for him the esteem of the nation. The kindliness and benevolence of his disposition was testified by the tears and lamentations which followed him to the grave.