Based on primary resources and interviews with current residents and recent trustees, this well researched history traces the growth and progress of Doughty's Hospital, an almshouse in Norwich, England, while examining the various philanthropic initiatives and social policies in Britain as a whole. From the hospital's foundation at the bequest of the departed William Doughty in 1687 to its present condition, this record considers key aspects of the hospital's development, including its residents, staff, financial management, and rules and regulations. With chapters on the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, this account makes a valuable contribution to the history of social welfare.