A Mysterious Discovery
In 1797, a young boy was spotted roaming the forests of southern France, near Saint-Sernin-sur-Rance. He was naked, unable to speak, and survived by foraging. Attempts to catch him failed, but in 1800, he was finally captured near Saint-Sernin.
A Life in the Wild
The boy, estimated to be around 12 years old, was examined by doctors and officials. He showed no understanding of language and displayed behaviors suggesting he had lived alone for years. His origins remained unknown, and he was given the name Victor de l’Aveyron.
Attempts at Education
Physician Jean Marc Gaspard Itard took Victor into his care, hoping to teach him language and social skills. Despite progress in understanding some words and routines, Victor never fully developed speech. His case fascinated scientists and educators studying human development.
His Final Years
Victor spent the rest of his life under the care of a housekeeper named Madame Guérin in Paris. He lived quietly until his death in 1828. His story remains one of the most studied cases of feral children, providing insights into human nature and language acquisition.
In 1797, a young boy was spotted roaming the forests of southern France, near Saint-Sernin-sur-Rance. He was naked, unable to speak, and survived by foraging. Attempts to catch him failed, but in 1800, he was finally captured near Saint-Sernin.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/yjtqaBYyGC
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 27, 2025