Chelmsford in Essex, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Dr Benjamin Pugh (1715-1798)
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 16, 2026
1. Dr Benjamin Pugh Marker
He designed this building (The Mansion House) in 1755 and lived there until 1773
Erected 2017 by Chelmsford City Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine.
Location. 51° 43.983′ N, 0° 28.455′ E. Marker is in Chelmsford, England, in Essex. It is on High Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26 High Street, Chelmsford, England CM1, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 19 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Guglielmo Marconi 1874-1937 (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Old County Gaol in Moulsham (about 180 meters away); Stone Bridge (about 180 meters away); Frederic Chancellor (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Frank Whitmore Green (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Shenfield (approx. 15.6 kilometers away); Castle Hill Farm/Railway Station (approx. 18.2 kilometers away); Rayleigh Mount (approx. 18.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chelmsford.
Also see . . . Benjamin Pugh (Doctor) (Chelmsford City Council).
this page online
By 1747, Pugh had moved to Chelmsford where he was a trustee of a charity school and was known for his services to midwifery. He invented large curved forceps, used to assist with delivery, and an early form of ventilator to help babies who had difficulty breathing.(Submitted on July 2, 2026.)
In 1754, Pugh published a book of new ideas to revolutionise childbirth, including the idea of using mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in new-borns. By this point, he has delivered around 2,000 babies and helped change the perception that midwifery was female-only occupation.
Pugh qualified as a doctor at Edinburgh University in 1758. He strongly supported the benefits of vaccinating against smallpox and took ownership for protecting the people of Chelmsford against this disease.
Additional keywords. blue plaque
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 16, 2026
2. Dr Benjamin Pugh Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
