Thomas Coram was a visionary social reformer whose work transformed child welfare in Britain. In 1739, after years of tireless campaigning, he founded the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first publicly funded institution dedicated to caring for abandoned children and regarded by many as the world’s first incorporated charity. At a time when many infants were left to perish on the streets, Coram provided a safe haven, offering shelter, nourishment, and education, giving thousands of vulnerable children a chance at a better life.

His work shifted public attitudes towards child welfare, pioneering the idea that orphaned children deserved care, dignity, and opportunity. The Foundling Hospital became a model for future child protection policies, laying the groundwork for the welfare state and modern child rights movements. Today, Coram’s legacy lives on through the Coram charity, continuing his mission of advocacy and support for vulnerable children. His unwavering dedication to social justice remains an enduring inspiration.