"The Purest Benevolence"
The Foundling Hospital was England's first hospital for abandoned children. The instigator was Captain Thomas Coram, who was moved by the terrible sight of newborn babies left to die in London's streets.
Coram's challange was to convince 'polite society' that a refuge for such children, many born to unmarried women, was a humane response to the plight of innocent children rather than an encouragment to sexual activity outside of wedlock. After a 20 year struggle, the Hospital was founded in 1739.
See "Exhibitions" for full details.
Posted: 6 March 2003