Left But Not Forgotten, The Children of the Foundling Hospital at Chester

Award-winning author, Dr Anthony Annakin-Smith, tells the moving story of the young children who came to the Chester branch of London’s Foundling Hospital in the eighteenth century.

Hundreds of foundlings – abandoned children or those at risk of being so – were brought to Chester to be cared for in the city or in surrounding villages. Most had been born to unmarried mothers or poverty-stricken couples. Many went on to be apprenticed locally, as young as age eight.

Until now, this remarkable chapter in the area’s history has been overlooked. However, based on careful new research, Anthony has uncovered the children’s stories before, during and after their time in Chester.

The talk accompanies the launch of Anthony’s new book, ‘Left But Not Forgotten: The Children of the Foundling Hospital at Chester’ and is a poignant tribute to these forgotten youngsters.