An 18th century doctor described as a 'pioneer' of mental health is to be celebrated at a ceremony in St Albans next month.

Dr Nathaniel Cotton developed an early form of what is now known as clinical psychology, at a time when mental health provision was sorely lacking.

He focused on kindness, understanding, and moral guidance rather than the harsh and cruel disciplinary measures which were commonly used at the time.

On Tuesday, June 11 an event will take place at St Peter's Church to commemorate his work and pay tribute to his legacy.

The event will be called From melancholy to depressive illness - The treatment of depression across the ages and will feature a range of speakers. 

In 2022 a blue plaque was unveiled at the site where he founded his St Albans institution. 

The event will start with a short introduction to Nathaniel by Professor Tim Boatswain, followed by the keynote speaker Florian Ruths, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital in London.

Professor Boatswain said: "Nathaniel established his sympathetic asylum, 'Collegium Insanorum' (a College for the Insane) in Lower Dagnall Street on what is now the corner with College Street (named after his institution), where you can find the blue plaque commemorating him on the original site.

"At this event we will hear about Nathaniel in his time, his revolutionary approach towards relieving mental illness, and what we can learn nowadays from his wisdom.

He continued: "We hope to make the event interactive so that everyone can contribute their thoughts and perceptions of modern mental health services while seeing them in the context of time and history.

"Blue Plaques St Albans is immensely grateful to Dr Ruths for waiving his lecture fee and to St Peter’s Church for providing the venue free of charge."

The event is being held as a fundraiser for Blue Plaques St Albans and attendees will be asked to donate £10 on the door.