After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Episode: Inside the Foundling: London's First Orphanage (Part 2) Release Date: December 19, 2024

Introduction

In the second installment of their exploration into London's Foundling Hospital, hosts Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling delve deeper into the lives of the children who were once abandoned at this pioneering institution. Building upon the foundation laid in the first episode, they uncover the intricate dynamics, daily routines, and enduring legacy of the hospital that became a cornerstone of children's social care in Britain.

Recap of Episode One

Anthony and Maddy begin by summarizing the key points from the inaugural episode, highlighting the Foundling Hospital's establishment by Thomas Coram and its role in providing a refuge for abandoned children. They touched upon the societal issues of Georgian England, including poverty, the morality surrounding illegitimacy, and the evolving perceptions of charity and virtue.

Maddy Pelling [04:28]: "It was so powerful and so moving to me. I can see them all in my mind's eye."

Contextual Background

Maddy provides a comprehensive backdrop of 18th-century London, emphasizing the dichotomy between immense wealth generated by the expanding British Empire and the stark poverty that plagued its urban centers. The era saw significant social challenges, including the rampant availability of gin, which exacerbated societal problems, and a growing moral panic over illegitimacy and the pursuit of romantic love.

Maddy Pelling [07:29]: "Britain and London in particular, are part of a growing empire, an empire that is underpinned and fueled really by a brutal trade in human beings."

Life Inside the Foundling Hospital

Architecture and Patronage

The Foundling Hospital's grandeur is vividly illustrated through Matt Lewis's descriptive narratives. He paints a picture of the hospital's original staircase—a vast, intimidating wooden structure with thick banisters and a hidden metal rod, purportedly installed after a tragic accident.

Matt Lewis [02:00-03:15]: "It's a really palpable piece of history... You can almost reach out and touch the little sticky hands that would have been making their way to bed in the evening."

Maddy introduces an image by Thomas Rawlinson from the "Microcosm of London," showcasing the hospital's church filled with London's elite and the uniformed children, symbolizing the intersection of high society and the institution's charitable mission.

Maddy Pelling [13:28]: "This is an image by the artist Thomas Rawlinson... the children are very nondescript. They become this blur of blue."

Daily Routine

Maddy narrates a typical day for the children, emphasizing the regimented nature of life within the hospital. Meals were strict and silent, with children adhering to routines amidst constant supervision and occasional visits from well-heeled patrons.

Maddy Pelling [18:47]: "They ate it in stony silence by mutual accord, the way they always did when there were visitors prying at them."

Education and Medical Care

The Foundling Hospital was ahead of its time in various aspects of child care and education. Maddy details the institution's emphasis on cleanliness, discipline, and manners. Significant medical advancements were also a focus, notably the mandatory inoculation against smallpox, championed by Dr. Richard Mead.

Maddy Pelling [30:45]: "They were taught to play musical instruments, they're given that incredible skill and something that they can make money with on the outside."

Additionally, the hospital catered to children with disabilities, providing specialized training such as sewing for those with physical impairments and musical training for the visually impaired.

Children with Disabilities

The Foundling Hospital demonstrated a progressive approach by integrating children with disabilities into specialized roles. Under the supervision of composer Georg Friedrich Handel, visually impaired children were trained to join the choir, showcasing the institution's commitment to inclusive education.

Maddy Pelling [31:00]: "Other children with disabilities, physical disabilities, are trained as seamstresses, as servants, things that will allow them to make a life for themselves beyond the walls of the hospital."

Admission Process and Tokens

One of the poignant aspects discussed is the system of tokens used by mothers to identify their children should they seek to reclaim them. These tokens, often simple objects like coins or pieces of cloth, were split into two halves—one kept by the child and the other by the mother.

Maddy Pelling [05:02]: "Mothers imbued those little objects with so much hope. Those were the means by which they would identify their children if they ever came back for them."

Anthony reflects on the significance of these tokens, underscoring their emotional weight and the deep-seated hope embedded within them.

Anthony Delaney [05:02]: "That was so powerful and so moving to me... "

Leaving the Hospital

As children matured within the Foundling Hospital, typically reaching the ages of 13 to 15, they transitioned into apprenticeships that would shape their futures. Maddy narrates the story of an 11-year-old boy preparing to become a blacksmith in Yorkshire, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that awaited the foundlings.

Maddy Pelling [35:49]: "He was to be recast as molten iron is in fire... His gaze wandered to the road. There, amidst the blur of faces, he would catch a woman's eyes... "

The discussion touches upon the varied outcomes for children post-apprenticeship, noting that while some thrived, others faced harsh conditions, leading some to run away or endure negative experiences.

Anthony Delaney [41:58]: "In Helen Berry's Orphans Of Empire, it concentrates on the life of George King after he leaves the foundling hospital. It's really fascinating..."

Legacy and Current Impact

The Foundling Hospital's enduring legacy is profound, having cared for approximately 25,000 children over two centuries. Its influence continues today through the Quorum Charity, which manages the hospital's archives and operates one of the UK's largest independent adoption agencies.

Maddy Pelling [44:42]: "They continue to run an adoption agency, one of the largest independent agencies in the country today."

Anthony and Maddy conclude by reflecting on the enduring relevance of the Foundling Hospital's mission, drawing parallels to contemporary child care challenges.

Anthony Delaney [45:44]: "Now, for 2024, there were 2,410 children in England alone who were ready for adoption. But for whom a family hasn't yet been found."

Notable Quotes

• Matt Lewis [02:00]: "You can feel the lives that lived here that played out in this space."

• Maddy Pelling [12:38]: "This is a really amazing view of a city that is kind of a ghost city to us."

• Anthony Delaney [18:05]: "We always have to remind ourselves to come back to the women and the children, even though the women and the children are at the heart of the entire thing."

• Maddy Pelling [43:52]: "I don't know if we know the story of that particular child and that mother and what their moment of reunion was like, but that's the one that's really stuck with me."

Conclusion

"Inside the Foundling: London's First Orphanage (Part 2)" offers an intimate and thorough examination of the Foundling Hospital's role in 18th and 19th-century London. Through engaging narratives and insightful discussions, Anthony and Maddy illuminate the complexities of caring for abandoned children amidst societal upheavals. The episode underscores the institution's multifaceted legacy, bridging historical context with modern-day implications for child welfare and adoption.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the profound human stories behind historical institutions and consider the ongoing challenges in providing care and support for vulnerable children today.

Thank you for tuning into After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal. We look forward to bringing you more uncoveries from the shadowy corners of history.