‘Icon’: One of first Black doctors in Hackney honoured with mural outside Elsdale Surgery

Patients and artist Andrew Wright (back row, wearing cap) at the mural’s unveiling. Photograph: courtesy VCH

One of Hackney’s first Black GPs has been commemorated with a beautiful eight-foot mural painted by patients and volunteers on the wall of a local surgery.

The artwork honours Dr Colin Franklin, a much-loved GP who practiced in the early 20th century, and was created as part of Hackney’s Black History Season.

Franklin is encapsulated in black and white, surrounded by flowers and the flags of Hackney’s diverse cultures, on the side of Elsdale Surgery.

The doctor is greatly revered in stories about his time as a GP. People in Hackney remember him for working until he had seen every single patient in the long queues that stretched from his surgery each day into the late evening.

He treated patients during the night too, with no booking services or locum doctors for help.

Dr Paula Franklin with artist Andrew Wright. Photograph: courtesy VCH

Paula Franklin, his daughter said: “When he eventually had locum GPs, his patients used to refuse them because they would rather see him.

“The community loved him so much they called me ‘Mr Franklin’s daughter’ instead of my name.”

The surgery was at the bottom of the Franklin home’s garden and Paula has fond memories of her medically trained mother and her all mucking in.

“If the surgery was closed the patients would knock on the door of our house for advice,” she said.

A group from Volunteer Centre Hackney initiated the project, and one of them, Krista, believes the mural has united the community.

She said: “The best thing was seeing one very old lady walking past, who stopped when she saw Colin’s face. She said ‘Oh my goodness, is that Colin? He was my doctor and he was the best’.”

The volunteers teamed up with Elsdale patients and Hackney artist Andrew Wright, who led on the design and painting of the mural.

Wright said: “We wanted to do some research in the community and find Black people in the area who made a really significant mark. We found that the Elsdale practice was opened by a Black doctor.

“The volunteers really pushed to find out very interesting information which was amazing to watch. Then the wonderful stories started to unravel.”

Members of the public, including children, joined in by adding paint and finishing off the 12 flags that feature on the mural and represent African and Caribbean countries that have contributed to Hackney’s culture.

Krista said that she couldn’t believe that this is the first homage to the doctor.

“Dr Franklin and the few other Black doctors in Hackney practicing at that time are significant icons when you look up historic doctors and inventors,” she explained.

“I can’t even put into words how much the community has embraced it, whatever the background. A lot of people had been waiting to see him recognised in some shape or form.”

She added: “I want the piece to talk. I want young Black people who see it to google Dr Franklin. And I want them to feel inspired if they want to be a doctor too.”

Another volunteer, Christine Lungo, said: “It was both an honour and a pleasure to be part of this project. I’m so proud to create something so beautiful for our community.”