Captain Thomas Coram

Date1749

After work by William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

Engraver James McArdell (1728 - 1765)

MediumMezzotint engraving

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1979-321

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Will.m Hogarth Pinx..t"/ Ja.s M..c.Ardell Fecit. / 1749/ Captain Thomas Coram./ Upon whose Petition and Sollicitation The Royal Charter./ for y.e FOUNDING HOSPITAL, was Granted by his MAJESTY King GEORGE y.e Second,/ 17 of October 1739."
Label TextPortrait of Captain Thomas Coram, an English philanthropist who founded the London Foundling Hospital in 1739. The purpose of the foundling Hospital was to create a place for infants and children, orphaned or not, to be cared for, find protection, and receive an education. Though he was born in England, he was sent to sea at the age of 11 and he settled in the area of Boston, Massachusetts in 1694 and founded a shipyard there. He returned to England in 1704, where Coram and his wife American wife Eunice were shocked by the number of infants and children abandoned on the streets of London.

The portrait that this print is based on was painted by William Hogarth in 1740 and was donated to the Foundling Hospital by the artist. Hogarth was one of the founding governors of the Foundling Hospital and was committed to the cause of the hospital for many years.
InscribedAlong lower left edge in iron gall ink: "Price 2.S"