Drawing by George III's would-be assassin on show

A drawing of an assassination attempt on King George III (1738 - 1820) in a theatre in Drury Lane

A drawing of a pet squirrel by a man who attempted to assassinate King George III is to go on display for the first time at the museum in the world's oldest psychiatric hospital.

The 19th-century illustration, which was accompanied by an ode about the pet, was created by James Hadfield and will be exhibited at the Bethlem Royal Hospital's Bethlem Museum of the Mind in Beckenham, south-east London.

Hadfield attempted to shoot the monarch at London's Drury Lane Theatre in 1800 but missed and was arrested on the spot.

The drawing will be displayed as part of an exhibition of artwork created by patients and other contributors that explores themes in dreams and nightmares.

Epitaph, Of My Poor Jack, Squirrel, is one of many pet epitaphs by Hadfield, who spent the remaining 41 years of his life in a cell at the hospital.

Epitaph, Of My Poor Jack, Squirrel

He suffered delusions about the end of the world and became convinced he must sacrifice himself to save mankind.

He was allowed to have pets and attracted many visitors, whom he sold epitaphs to.

The piece is one of three versions the museum holds, which confirmed squirrel Jack died in an accidental fall after being startled by a cat.

Also on show will be work by artist Charlotte Johnson Wahl, mother of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the dream diaries of psychiatrist Dr Edward Hare.

Colin Gale, director of Bethlem Museum Of The Mind, said: "Between Sleeping And Waking has opened up exciting perspectives on artworks, many of which have been in storage for years.

"It is striking that an entire spectrum of dreams identified by sleep researchers is reflected within our museum's collections."

Between Sleeping And Waking: Hospital Dreams And Visions will run from 14 August to 22 November at the museum, and entry is free.