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Early Eighteenth-Century Newspaper Reports
www.infopt.demon.co.uk/grub/vagrants.htm
Newspapers articles from the early 1700s on vagrants, beggars and apprentice boys who frequently died at the gallows in 18th-century Britain.
Quaker Views – Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845)
www.quaker.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=90272
Dense but fascinating biography of the prison reformer, emphasising her Quaker beliefs.
The Poor Law
www.institutions.org.uk/poor_law_unions/the_poor_law1.htm
Chronology of the Poor Law and its amendments through the 17th and 18th centuries and those that campaigned against it.
The Foundling Museum
www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk
On the site of the original hospital at 40 Brunswick Square, London WC1, this houses the nationally important Foundling Hospital collection, including London's first art gallery featuring works by Hogarth, Gainsborough and Reynolds, memorabilia relating to George Frideric Handel, poignant social history objects relating to London's first children's home. Presently closed for refurbishment.
William Hogarth – Gallery of other works
www.peterwestern.f9.co.uk/hogarth/hogarthgallery.html
Large selection of Hogarth's work, including his wonderful portrait of Thomas Coram and the painting Lord Hervey and his friends
The Workhouse
www.workhouses.org.uk/
Gives an account of the workhouses in 18th-century Britain.
Charity, Philanthropy and Reform: From the 1690s to 1850 edited by Hugh Cunningham and Joanna Innes (Palgrave, 1998)
Explores changes in the role of philanthropists in Europe and North America at the time of the French Revolution and highlights the role of voluntary organisations emerging in the late 18th century.
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Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin (Mammoth, 2000)
In the darkest days of the 18th century, women paid to have their illegitimate children taken to Thomas Coram's Foundling Hospital - but those calling themselves 'Coram men' were often mere blackmailers, who killed their charges on the road. Aaron makes it to London alive and grows up in the hospital. Jamila Gavin's exciting and moving book tells a story of slaves, villains, aristocrats, warm-hearted lovers and true friends. Winner of the Whitbread Award for the year's children's novel but suitable for anyone from 12+.
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Giving: Charity and philanthropy in history by Robert Hamlett Bremner (Transaction Publishers, 1994)
Traces the attitudes and practices of philanthropy through the medieval and early modern hospital, and looks at 18th-century benevolence and the rise of public relief in the 19th century.
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Hogarth: A Life and world by Jenny Uglow (Faber, 1998)
The artist William Hogarth was highly critical of the growing gulf between the luxurious lives of the ruling elite and the wretched poverty of the masses. This critical eye was reflected in his art, but he also provided much-needed support to Thomas Coram's foundling hospital.
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Thomas Coram is also remembered at Coram Fields, 93 Guildford Street, London WC1: a seven-acre children's park with an under-fives play area, pets' corner, paddling pool and café. No adults are allowed in without a child.