Gaol KEEPER, BEAR FIGHTER, EXHIBITIONIST
Daniel Lambert (13 March 1770 – 21 June 1809) was at one time a fit and strong man. It is even said he once fought a bear on the streets of Leicester. But by 1805 he weighed an astonishing 32 stone.
By that time he was destitute. Resolving to profit from ‘the fame for corpulence, which had hitherto brought him merely annoyance’, he travelled from his home town to London, where, at a charge of course, he began welcoming citizens fascinated by his portliness, from 12pm until 5pm at No 4 Piccadilly.
