cover of episode What Are "Feral Children," and Do They Really Exist? (with Michael Newton)

What Are "Feral Children," and Do They Really Exist? (with Michael Newton)

2024/8/21
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In the 18th century, a boy named Peter the Wild Boy, possibly raised by animals, was discovered in the woods of Hanover, Germany. He was brought to King George I as a curiosity and ended up living in St. James Palace, becoming a subject of fascination for London society. While his wild nature was initially entertaining, interest in him waned, except for Daniel Defoe, who saw Peter as more spiritual and in tune with nature.
  • Peter the Wild Boy was discovered in Germany and brought to the British royal court.
  • His origin story is shrouded in mystery, with various versions claiming he was raised by bears or wolves.
  • He became a social spectacle in London but was later treated more like a pet or court jester.
  • Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, showed a philosophical interest in Peter, believing his upbringing gave him a special connection to nature.

Shownotes Transcript

A “wild” boy in 18th-century Germany meets the King of England. 100 years later, a child is raised in isolation by a man whose name he never knew. And a young girl in the 1950s survives the Colombian jungle – a troop of monkeys her only companions. These so-called feral children are no strangers to doubt, controversy, and conspiracy theories.

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