Society of Friends of Foreigners In Distress
Founded | 1806 |
---|---|
Type | Charity |
Registration no. | 212593 (England and Wales) |
Focus | Foreign people with London |
Location |
|
Area served | London, England |
The Society of Friends of Foreigners In Distress is a charitable organization in London England whose aim is to "... grant relief to indigent foreigners here, without distinction of country or religion; especially to those who are not entitled to parochial aid: and to furnish the means to such as are desirous to return to their own countries."[1]
Established in 1806, this is one of London's oldest charities that still operates.[citation needed] The impulse behind the charity was based on Dr. John Murray's Society of Universal Good Will, which had been stablished 40 years prior and was based out of Norwich.[1]
The charity was so well funded, that by 1824 it had already supported several thousand foreigners and was supplying annual pensions for 50 individuals within London.[1] Just a few of the many patrons of the society included: Maximilian I of Mexico, William Ernest, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Peter II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg, Frederick William, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Archduke Louis of Austria, Frederick III, German Emperor, Prince Henry of the Netherlands (governor), Prince Paul of Württemberg.,[2] to name a few.