Thomas Coram and the London Foundling Hospital

captain Thomas Coram (c.1668-1751 was a philanthropist who created the London Foundling Hospital in Lamb’s Conduit Fields, Bloomsbury, to look after abandoned children. It is said to be the world’s first incorporated charity.

Thomas Coram, while living in Rotherhithe , regularly travelled into London. He was frequently shocked by the sight of infants exposed in the streets, often in a dying .

He agitated for the foundation of a foundling hospital. This institution was to be a children’s home for children and orphans who could not be properly cared for.

He laboured for 17 years.

He induced many ladies of rank to sign a memorial.

King George 11, in 1739, finally signed a charter for the Foundling Hospital and considerable sums were subscribed.

20th November 1739 saw the first meeting of the guardians at Somerset House.

Later a vote of thanks was given to Coram who requested thanks should also be given to the interested ladies.

William Hogarth, a personal friend of Thomas, showed great interest in the undertaking. In May 1740 he presented his portrait of Coram to the hospital. He introduced a portrait of Coram into an engraved power of attorney for receiving subscriptions. He presented a picture of Moses with Pharaoh’s daughter. Finally he gave 157 tickets in the lottery for the ‘March to Finchley’ -one of the 157 tickets won the prize.

Some houses were taken and the first children were admitted in 1741. A piece of land was bought for £7,000 in Bloomsbury. Lord Salisbury, the owner insisted that the whole of his ground as far as Gray’s inn lane should be taken. He also subscribed £500.

Coram continued to invest in the hospital. Up until 1742 he continued to be elected to the General Committee. But at the May Day meeting in 1742 he did not receive enough votes. As a result he no longer had any say in the management of the hospital.
Why? No clear reason is obvious but he is said to have spread defamatory rumours about 2 of the governors or he expressed criticism towards how the hospital was run.

16th September 1742 the foundation stone for the hospital was laid.

October 1745 the west wing was finished. Children moved into the new building.

Hogarth was among the first governors of the Foundling hospital.
Handle gave performances at the hospital in 1749 and 1750. ( See ‘Legacy’)
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Today the Foundling Hospital continues as the children’s charity Coram, with a mission to improve the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.
( See ‘Coram’ for more info)
In 2000Coram Boy - a children’s book about the hospital, by Jamila Gavin was published. Now a play.

William Coram died on 29th March 1751, aged 81. He was buried in the chapel of the Foundling Hospital. A statue and inscription was erected in front of the building 100 years later. In 1935 the building was demolished. Today his exhumed remains are in the chapel of Ashlyns School.