Thomas Coram's father is believed to have been a master mariner.
14 Facts About Thomas Coram
2.
Thomas Coram gave some books to form a library at St Thomas' Church, Taunton, one of which, a Book of Common Prayer given to him by Speaker Onslow, is preserved in the church.
3.
Thomas Coram obtained an act of parliament taking off the prohibition upon deal from Germany and the Netherlands.
4.
Thomas Coram began to agitate for the foundation of a foundling hospital.
5.
Thomas Coram laboured for seventeen years, and he induced many ladies of rank to sign a memorial.
6.
At a later court, a vote of thanks was presented to Thomas Coram, who requested that thanks should be given to the ladies interested.
7.
Thomas Coram was said to have spread defamatory rumours about two of the governors.
8.
Thomas Coram told Brocklesby that as he had never wasted his money in self-indulgence, he was not ashamed to confess that he was poor.
9.
In 1955, the building was sold and Thomas Coram's remains were exhumed and moved to the Church of St Andrew, Holborn in London.
10.
Hogarth, a personal friend of Thomas Coram's, was among the first governors of the Foundling Hospital.
11.
Thomas Coram painted a famous portrait of Coram which can now be viewed at the Foundling Museum in London.
12.
Thomas Coram contributed paintings for the benefit of the Foundation, and the Foundling Hospital became the first art gallery in London open to the public.
13.
Thomas Coram composed an anthem specially for a performance at the Hospital, now called the Foundling Hospital Anthem.
14.
Thomas Coram's Fields is a registered charity and provides children's and youth services for the local community, including a Youth Centre and free Sports Programme.