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Victor of Aveyron

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Oddity

The Resume

    (circa 1788-1828)
    Born in France
    Feral child
    Discovered naked in the woods near Saint-Semin-sur-Rance, France (1799)
    Became a case study in Enlightenment debates about human nature
    Physician Jean Itard attempted to 'civilize' him by teaching him language and empathy
    Subject of the Francois Truffaut film 'L'Enfant Sauvage' (1970)

Why he might be annoying:

    He escaped several times before being caught for good in 1800.
    He initially tried to flee from other people and would bite if they got too close.
    Despite intense efforts by Itard, he never learned to speak.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He had a scar on his neck that may have been the result of someone trying to kill him then leaving him for dead in the woods.
    Later scientists who studied Itard's notes think Victor may be the first recorded case of an autistic child.
    Although Itard failed to teach Victor language, he had a breakthrough with empathy: Victor consoled Itard's housekeeper, Madame Guerin, when she was crying over the death of her husband.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 180 Votes: 69.44% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 206 Votes: 56.80% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 125 Votes: 60.80% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 117 Votes: 54.70% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 117 Votes: 57.26% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 149 Votes: 59.06% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 74 Votes: 75.68% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 24 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 25 Votes: 48.00% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 63 Votes: 60.32% Annoying