The Crichton

The Crichton is a historic campus located in Dumfries, Scotland. Originally established as the Crichton Royal Hospital in 1838, it served as a psychiatric hospital. Today, the campus is home to several educational institutions, including the University of Glasgow, the University of the West of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway College, and the Open University. It also features a hotel, conference center, and the Crichton Memorial Church situated in a 100-acre park.

The Crichton was founded by Elizabeth Crichton, a wealthy local widow, who initially intended to establish a university in Dumfries but was unable to do so. The original hospital building, now known as Crichton Hall, was designed by William Burn and opened in 1839. Over the years, the facility expanded with the addition of the Southern Counties Asylum in 1849.

Under the leadership of medical superintendent William A. F. Browne, the Crichton implemented innovative therapies such as occupational therapy and art therapy. Browne's tenure from 1838 to 1857 set benchmark standards in therapeutic administration and resulted in a vast collection of patient art. In the twentieth century, the Crichton gained recognition for its psychiatric research conducted by German Jewish émigrés, including Dr. Willi Mayer-Gross.

Today, the Crichton continues to be an important educational and cultural hub in Dumfries, providing a unique blend of historic architecture, academic institutions, and natural surroundings.