Dates

• Existence: 1844 - 1924

Biography

The Hengler Circus dynasty started with Michael Hengler, a German equestrian and pyrotechnic, who served as a Lieutenant in the Hanoverian Artillery before moving to London in c1780. In 1783 Michael aka Signor Hengler, established the Hengler’s Fireworks company in London and among his clientele were Philip Astley and Vauxhall and Ranelagh Pleasure Gardens.

In c1783 Michael Hengler married Sarah, who was an equestrian, wire walker and pyrotechnic. They had three children Henry Michael (1784-1861), Tobias Joseph (born and died 1786), and Magdalen Elizabeth (b.c.1788).

All their children followed on the parent’s footsteps into performance.

Michael Hengler died in 1802 and his wife took over the pyrotechnic business. Sarah died in a fire at the fireworks factory on 9 October 1845. At this point, her daughter Magdalene who had already been managing the pyrotechnic factory for a few years took control of the business.

Henry Michael became a celebrated tight-rope walker and had a long and prosperous career working with some of the best known British circuses of the time including Batty, Ducrow and Astley’s for nearly fifty years.

Henry married Jane Pilsworth on 9 January 1808 in Dublin and they had eleven children, among who was Fredrick Charles, who is regarded as the founder of Hengler’s Circus, although it was his brother Edward who first established Hengler’s Circus in 1844.

Frederick Charles, commonly referred to as Charles, became a multifaceted performer before becoming the proprietor of his brother’s Hengler's Circus in 1846. Shortly after, he married Mary Ann Frances Sprake and joined her uncle’s circus, dissolving Henglers Circus in the process.

Charles re-formed Hengler's Circus in July 1847 in Stafford. He travelled the circus around the provinces during the summer season and presented specially erected buildings during the winter until 1886. Between 1863 and 1866, Charles opened permanent Hengler Circus buildings in Glasgow, Dublin, Hull, Birmingham and Bristol and by 1869 he was running two circuses simultaneously, in Glasgow and Liverpool. Two years later he opened the Grand Cirque Variete in London and in 1875 he presented the summer circus at Alexandra Park. Charles gave a royal command performance at Windsor on 20 February 1886.

Charles died on 28 September 1887 aged 66 years old.

The management of the business passed to his son Albert who continued presenting it until its closure in 1924.

Found in 12 Collections and/or Records: