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Joseph, the First Lithuanian Bear Boy

How many boys?

As in the case of the boys of Hesse, we have many confusing reports about these boys, giving different dates and quantities of Lithuanian bear-boys. After a review of the various sources, it looks like we are dealing with probably only two incidents (totalling three boys).

Joseph, the first Lithuanian bear-boy

The first Lithuanian bear-boy (Joseph) dates from 1657, 1661, 1663 or 1669, depending who you believe. For details of some of the sources, see Wolf Children and Feral Man, by Singh and Zingg. You can read the full text of Connor's account here.

Caught by hunters

Joseph was one of two boys seen in the woods by hunters. Although they caught Joseph, the other boy escaped. Joseph was about 9 years old, and was taken before the King of Poland in Warsaw. He disliked wearing clothes, but did learn to walk upright and eat cooked meat; however, he never learned to speak well. He and the other boy had possibly been left behind inadvertently when their families fled from raiding Tartars.

The second Lithuanian bear-boy

The second Lithuanian bear-boy, caught in 1694, did acquire some speech and was taught to walk upright. To read more about this child (in French), read this extract from Condillac's Essai sur l'Origine des Connaissances Humaines.