CORAM, Thomas, English philanthropist, born about 1668; died 29 March, 1751. He was a sailor in early life, rose to be captain of a merchantman, lived several years in Taunton, Massachusetts, where he followed farming and boat-building, returned to England in 1703, and devoted himself to charitable works, especially the establishment of a foundling hospital in London, which, after seventeen years of exertion, was opened on 17 October, 1740. He was also a promoter of English settlements in Georgia and Nova Scotia. Having expended his fortune in benevolent enterprises in his old age, he was the recipient of an annuity obtained by subscription. He was instrumental in promoting American commerce by securing an act of parliament granting a bounty on naval stores of colonial production. At the time of his death he was engaged on a scheme for the education of Indian girls.