List of orphans and foundlings

Notable orphans and foundlings include world leaders, celebrated writers, entertainment greats, figures in science and business, as well as innumerable fictional characters in literature and comics. While the exact definition of orphan and foundlings varies, one legal definition is a child bereft through "death or disappearance of, abandonment or desertion by, or separation or loss from, both parents".[1] According to the United Nations, the definition of an orphan is anyone that loses one parent, either through death or abandonment.

Figures from classical history and religious scripture

Africa

Asia

Europe

Civic and religious leaders

Africa

Asia

Australia/Oceania

Europe

North America

South America

Writers

Africa

Asia

Australia/Oceania

  • Thomas Bracken, Irish-born New Zealand poet, journalist and politician

Europe

North America

Musicians and singers

Africa

Asia

Australia/Oceania

Europe

North America

South America

  • Víctor Jara, Chilean poet, singer-songwriter, teacher, theatre director and political activist
  • Milton Nascimento, Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist

Artists, actors, and entertainers

Africa

Asia

Australia/Oceania

Europe

North America

South America

Athletes

Africa

Asia

Australia/Oceania

Europe

North America

South America

Scientists and scholars

Africa

  • Maud Chifamba, the youngest university student in Africa, orphaned at age 14
  • Ibn Khaldun, North African Arab historiographer and historian lost both of his parents at age of 17

Europe

North America

Business people

Asia

Europe

North America

Otherwise notables

Asia

Australia/Oceania

Europe

North America

South America

Fictional characters

See also Category:Fictional orphans

In literature

See also Category:Adoptees for lists of notable people who have been adopted (including by step-parents): many adoptees are neither orphans nor foundlings.

References

  1. Iii. Eligibility For Immigration Benefits As An Orphan Archived 2009-09-30 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Likeable Rascal of House". The New Zealand Herald. 26 April 1980. p. 3.
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