The hospital was founded for teaching purposes in 1881 by a group of local doctors.

The hospital has been affiliated with the University of Maryland Medical System since 1999, and has over 1,400 employees and 500 doctors, covering 30 different specialties.

[3] Originally known as the Baltimore Medical College, it affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1911.

An affiliation with the Baltimore Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital began in 1965.

[5] The Obstetrics Service at Maryland General was discontinued effective June 30, 2013, due to declining volumes, despite a reputation for outstanding clinical outcomes.