The Lord Lister Hotel, Hitchin

Image: © John Lucas Taken: 18 May 2006

Until 1845, the building housed the Isaac Brown Academy for Quaker boys, but it was closed in February of that year when it was severely damaged by fire. One of the alumni was Joseph (later Lord) Lister, famed for his work in antisepsis, and hence the name of the hotel. Lister left the Academy in 1841, when he was 14, and continued his education at Grove House School in Tottenham, another Quaker establishment. However, he maintained his connection with Hitchin through Lucas relatives in the town. William Lucas (1804-1861) was a keen observer of current affairs, both near to home and in the wider world. He recorded his thoughts and observations in a journal covering the years from 1819 until his death. Lucas mentions Lister in his journal: 3rd month 25th 1841: "Our cousin J.J. Lister came down to take his son Joseph from I. Brown's school and lodged with us." Lucas was not known to suffer fools gladly, but he certainly recognised potential when he saw it. On 8th month 19th 1844 he wrote: "Jos. Lister (our guest, a most intelligent and promising youth) and myself had a pleasant drive through Henlow, Clifton..." And on the 15th of the 8th month the following year: "Weather has continued cold and cloudy. M. Lister and her brother Joseph came yesterday evening, the former is to be married next week to R. Godlee." Mary and Rickman Godlee were to become the parents of another noted surgeon, Sir Rickman John Godlee (later Baronet), who pioneered modern brain surgery. William Lucas' journal was published in 1933 by Hutchinson as 'A Quaker Journal'. It is highly recommended for students of the first half of the 19th century, an authoritative commentary from a layman's viewpoint. Lister was to later renounce the Quaker religion. He became frustrated at the barriers on Quakers attaining high office and also by the restrictions imposed by the movement on its members. He moved to Scotland where there was then a far more pluralistic attitude to religion. The chap on the right of the photograph is Terry Knight of Hitchin Historical Society. Terry leads some very entertaining walking tours of Hitchin (coronavirus permitting).

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