The 1896 Gloucester smallpox epidemic affected more than 2,000 people in
Gloucester between 5 January and 27 July 1896. A large number of the town's population were not
vaccinated.[3]
In Britain, smallpox vaccination became compulsory in the 1850s.[4] In Gloucester, a smallpox outbreak occurred in the mid-1870s.[5][6] However, the 1890s also saw
anti-vaccination beliefs.[7][8]
Cases
President of the Local Government Board
Thomas Russell stated in 1896 that, between 4 January and 25 July 1896, the number of cases of smallpox in Gloucester totalled 2,008.[2] A large number of the town's population were not
vaccinated.[9]
Ethel Cromwell
Ethel Cromwell was around 14 years old when her photograph was taken in a hospital in Gloucester, following admission with smallpox. She was not vaccinated, but recovered.[4]