Philip Henry, 4th Earl Stanhope, was considered by his contemporaries one of the most enigmatic figures surrounding the mystery of Kaspar Hauser. An English aristocrat who assumed the role of Hauser's foster father, Stanhope presented himself as a benevolent philanthropist concerned solely with the young man's welfare. Hauser - who appeared on the streets of Nuremberg at the age of sixteen, claiming to have been raised in total isolation - was hailed as a symbol of 'natural innocence' and dubbed 'the Child of Europe'. But five years later, he was dead from a stab wound to the chest. Though whispers of Stanhope's involvement in the tragedy have persisted, they have never been definitively proven - until now.In this groundbreaking and only major biography of Stanhope, Johannes Mayer uncovers the true and disturbing nature of the nobleman's relationship with the mysterious youth. Far from being a caring patron, Stanhope was a British intelligence agent trained for a career in European political espionage. Groomed by powerful allies and fluent in German, Stanhope was strategically positioned to observe - and ultimately neutralize - Hauser. His mission: win Hauser's trust, make him dependent, and then discredit and abandon him, setting the stage for his downfall.Drawing on extensive primary sources - including letters, official documents and newly revealed material - Mayer paints a gripping portrait of deception and betrayal. Featuring dozens of photographs and illustrations, this riveting account follows a trail of intrigue from Great Britain and Sicily to the courts of Germany and Austria. At the heart of the story stands Kaspar Hauser: a tragic, sacrificial figure in the spiritual history of modern humanity.
