Archbishop George Abbot founded and endowed The Hospital of the Blessed Trinity in
1619 as a gift to the people of Guildford “out of my love to the place if my birth”. This
was not a “hospital” as we understand the word today, but a place of shelter, eventually
acquiring an almshouse-style purpose. Born and educated in Guildford, George Abbot’s
intention was to provide housing for the elderly poor of the town - 12 single men and eight
single women – under the care of a resident Master.

A one time Master of University College, Abbot built the Hospital along the lines of an
Oxford College complete with gatehouse, hall and Chapel using the finest quality
materials and craftsmen. The building followed the model of the Whitgift Foundation,
Croydon, started in 1596 by John Whitgift, also Archbishop of Canterbury (1583 – 1604).

George Abbot’s father Maurice was a clothworker who moved to Guildford from Farnham
at about the time of his marriage to Alice in 1548. Born in a cottage opposite St Nicholas
church in 1562, George was the third of six sons.

All six sons all achieved remarkable prominence. One brother became Mayor of
Guildford, a second had a successful career at the bar, a third became Bishop of Salisbury
and the fourth brother was installed as the first Master at Abbot’s Hospital. The fifth brother,
Sir Morris Abbot was a governor of the East India Company, Member of Parliament for the
City of London and Lord Mayor of London in 1638.

George Abbot was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, Bishop of
London and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1611 until his death in 1633.