Chelsea

Chelsea, a London suburb on the north bank of the Thames, famous for its hospital for old and disabled soldiers of the British army. This hospital was commenced in 1682 and completed in 1692. The funds for its maintenance are provided by Parliamentary grants. It is sometimes known as "Chelsea College," through occupying the site of a theological college opened by James I. There is also a Royal Military Asylum for Soldiers' Children, and a botanic garden, the bequest of Sir Hans Sloane, a former resident. Amongst celebrities that have lived here are Sir Thomas More. author of Utopia, Walpole, Swift, Steele, Leigh Hunt, George Eliot, and Carlyle. It is a parliamentary borough, and returns one member to Parliament.