There was no welfare state in 19th century England, and the shadow of the workhouse that loomed over those who fell into destitution. The National Benevolent Charity was founded to relieve this social evil.
In 1808, Peter Hervé was living in the west of England and he established committees of the National Benevolent Institution in Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham and Gloucester. These committees were to raise money through subscriptions and donations to pay pensions to those no longer able to work because of age or illness. In 1812, he established a committee in London, and this committee became The National Benevolent Charity of today.
Peter Hervé’s National Benevolent Institution was a members’ organisation. The members, or subscribers, paid regular amounts to the institution and, in turn, they would elect those who were to benefit from a pension or other form of payment. Those applying for help would be visited by a member of the committee and they would have to disclose their financial means and suitable references and recommendations..
Peter Hervé was not a great orator, but his passion for the cause gave him great power over the audiences who attended his public meetings and the Institution grew from strength to strength. In his own words,
Are they...to be unrewarded and forgotten in their old age; to be cast off, as withered and useless branches, and to be suffered to go down in sorrow to the grave ? Forbid it, Justice ! Forbid it, Mercy ! Surely......public gratitude should follow them...in their hour of utmost need...
From the early days, the institution was honoured with Royal support. Princess Charlotte, the daughter of the Prince Regent was the first to associate herself with the institution. The first patron was the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria and, in 1859, the Queen granted the institution a Royal Charter. Eminent supporters at the beginning included the founder of immunology, Edward Jenner; the victor at Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington; the banker, Sir Thomas Baring; and members of great political dynasties such as the Marquess of Landsdowne and the Duke of Devonshire.