The History of the ICR

As the 19th century ended and the 20th began, there was increasing concern about cancer and a growing desire to understand it.

Queen Victoria’s son-in-law, the Emperor Friedrich of Prussia, had died of laryngeal cancer and his wife, Victoria’s eldest daughter, also suffered from cancer until her death in 1901. What’s more Prince Alfred, the Queen’s second son, also died of cancer of the tongue and throat in 1900.

There was a pressing need for knowledge and many within the British establishment were pushing for the creation of a cancer ‘Klinik’ to study the disease.

From humble beginnings as a small research laboratory within what would become The Royal Marsden cancer hospital, The Institute of Cancer Research developed in its own right.

In 2009 we celebrate our Centenary.

Over the years, we have grown to become one of the largest cancer research foundations in the world, the best in Europe and a global leader in developing treatments and in controlling the disease.