The Foundling - Facts

 Bess leaves her baby girl in the Foundling Hospital in London. The Foundling Hospital was a children's home in London, founded in 1739 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram.The Foundling Hospital was a home for abandoned children rather than a medical hospital. The first children were admitted to the Foundling Hospital on 25 March 1741. At first, no questions were asked about child or parent, but a note was made of any 'particular writing, or other distinguishing mark or token' which might later be used to identify a child if reclaimed. 

Bess learns that Handel composed a song for the hospital. The Foundling Hospital Anthem  is a choral anthem composed by George Frideric Handel in 1749. It was written for the Foundling Hospital in London and was first performed in the chapel there.

Bess lived with her father and brother in Billingsgate. Billingsgate is one of the 25 Wards of the City of London. 

Ned is a crossing sweeper. A crossing sweeper was a person working as a street sweeper who would sweep a path ahead of people crossing dirty urban streets in exchange for a gratuity. This practice was an informal occupation among the urban poor, primarily during the 19th century.

Dr Mead gives Alexandra a painting of Mary Edwards by William Hogarth. Miss Mary Edwards was one of the wealthies women of the time, and he was a patron of William Hogarth.

Lyle, who helps Bess, is a linkboy. A link-boy (or link boy or linkboy) was a boy who carried a flaming torch to light the way for pedestrians at night. Linkboys were common in London in the days before the introduction of gas lighting in the early to mid 19th century. The linkboy's fee was commonly one farthing, and the torch was often made from burning pitch and tow.

Richard Mead, Elliott's grandfather, is based on a real person. Richard Mead (11 August 1673 – 16 February 1754) was an English physician. While in the service of the king, Mead got involved in the creation of a new charity, the Foundling Hospital, both as a founding governor and as an advisor on all things medical. Mead was a collector of paintings, rare books, classical sculpture, gems and zoological specimens, which he made available for study at the library in his Bloomsbury house. After his death, it took 56 days to auction them to book collectors from England and abroad.