This marble bas-relief representing the Good Samaritan can be found in the chapel of St Thomas' Hospital in London. It was sculpted by George Tinworth in 1893-94 and dedicated to the memory of Sarah Elizabeth Wardroper1.
As stated by the inscription below the sculpture Wardroper was "A FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GOD AND MAN THE WORKING LEADER IN A GREAT REFORM QUIETLY AND PEACEABLY PURSUED BY WHICH THE CARE OF THE SICK TOOK ITS RIGHT PLACE AS / A HIGH AND HOLY CALLING THAT ENLISTS THE NOBLEST QUALITIES OF HEART AND MIND AND TURNS TO EFFICIENT USE THE INTELLIGENCE REFINEMENT AND DEVOTION OF GOOD WOMEN. / FOR 33 YEARS MRS. WARDROPER RENDERED FAITHFUL SERVICE AS MATRON OF THIS HOSPITAL. SELECTED BY FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE AS THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSES ESTABLISHED / BY HER IN THIS HOSPITAL SHE WAS SUCCESSFUL DURING THE LAST 27 YEARS IN TRAINING AND SENDING OUT INTO OUR OWN AND OTHER LANDS CAPABLE WOMEN WORTHY TO CARRY ON THE GOOD WORK / SHE RETIRED FROM HER POST IN JUNE 1887 AND DIED AT EAST GRINSTEAD ON THE 14TH DAY OF DECEMBER 1892 IN THE 80TH YEAR OF HER AGE".
After quoting two verses of Matthew's Gospel, the inscription ends: "THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE GOVERNORS OF THIS HOSPITAL AND OTHERS WHO KNEW AND APPRECIATED HER GREAT QUALITIES".
- Photos by ti.supmacinu|ihgrob.l#ihgroB acuL (August 2011), courtesy of St Thomas' Hospital.
- Locate the item on this Google Map