Sabrina Sidney
British foundling girl taken in when she was 12 by author Thomas Day · Lived 1757 to 1843 · aged 86
Sabrina Bicknell, better known as Sabrina Sidney, was a British woman abandoned at the Foundling Hospital in London as a baby, and taken in at the age of 12 by author Thomas Day, who tried to mould her into his perfect wife. She grew up to marry one of Day's friends, instead, and eventually became a school manager.
Sabrina Sidney is read about 9.5 times a day, in 6 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 22 August 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
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Photos 8
The now-demolished Foundling Hospital, where Sidney was abandoned
Thomas Day in 1770
Shrewsbury Orphan Hospital, which now forms part of Shrewsbury School
Day's education of Sabrina followed suggestions from Emile, or On Education.
Stowe House, Day's Lichfield residence, viewed across Stowe Pool, the lake into which Sidney waded
Anna Seward, acquaintance of Day who questioned the propriety of his relationship with Sidney
Final residence of Sabrina Bicknell, at 29 Gloucester Circus, GreenwichAbout this person
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1757 to 1843 · aged 86