GREEN COAT HOSPITAL, TOTHILL FIELDS, WESTMINSTER, so called from the colour of the children's clothes, was established in the year 1633, and confirmed and constituted by letters patent from King Charles I., Nov.15th in that year, as an hospital for the relief of the poor fatherless children of St. Margaret's, Westminster; the King giving 50l. every year towards the support. When the school was rebuilt in the year 1700, the celebrated Dr. Busby was a liberal benefactor to the funds necessary for that purpose. The management is vested in twenty governors, and the children are clothed, educated, and wholly maintained by the funds in the possession of the governors.

Peter Cunningham, Hand-Book of London, 1850