Through the early twentieth century, some 50,000 people deemed ‘imbeciles’ or ‘feeble-minded’ were detained in specialist facilities by the British government with the approval of respectable society, the established Church and politicians of left and right. The sole institution implacably opposed was the Roman Catholic Church.
06 June 2024, The Tablet
The undesirables’ only friend
Cardinal Bourne opposed the Bill
Photo: Alamy/Underwood archives
Get Instant Access
Continue Reading
Register for free to read this article in full
Subscribe for unlimited access
From just £30 quarterly
Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
The full weekly edition in print and digital including our 179 years archive.
PDF version to view on iPad, iPhone or computer.
Already a subscriber? Login
