The Chosen Ones: A Revisionist History of Paternalism, Admissions, and Maternal Agency at the London Foundling Hospital (1739-1869)

This dissertation studies the evolution of the London Foundling Hospital's (LFH) admissions process over 130 years (1741-1869), examining archival documents to unveil the dynamics of the institution's operations and the societal forces influencing its policies. The first chapter challenges prevailing narratives of the LFH's founding, debunking the notion of its militaristic origins and highlighting the paternalistic motivation of its early leaders. The second chapter introduces the concept of "institutional paternalism," arguing that the LFH was driven by paternalistic impulses, with implications for understanding charitable institutions more broadly. The third chapter traces the evolution of the LFH's admissions policy, a subject that has never been rigorously explored before. It reveals significant shifts in societal attitudes towards motherhood and philanthropy and the institution's pivotal role within this landscape. The final chapter explores the LFH's transition towards aiding 'respectable' women rather than simply those in dire need and investigates the intersection of institutional power and maternal agency, showcasing the resilience of marginalized women in negotiating the boundaries of Victorian morality. Each chapter is contextualized with a review of relevant historiography, providing essential background for the analysis.