Dates

• Existence: c1846 - 1931

Biography

The Bostock menagerie dynasty originated with James Bostock (1814-1878), who started working at Wombwell’s menagerie in 1838 after leaving the family home in Staffordshire.

James was the eldest son of John Bostock, a wealthy landowner and farmer, whose second marriage was to send his heir away from the family home and see him build his fortune as a showman.

In the years following his employment with Wombwell, James progressed from horse keeper to contracting and advertising agent and became instrumental in attaining two Royal Commands for exhibitions at Windsor Castle for Queen Victoria in 1847 and 1854.

James married Emma Wombwell (b1834), the niece of George Wombwell, in 1852 and formed the Bostock and Wombwell dynasty. They had nine children; Arthur James (1853), James William (1855), George Henry (1857), Edward Henry (1858-1940), Amelia Ann (1861), Emma (1864), Frank Charles (1866-1912), Fanny (1874), and Francis Henry (1876).

The core axis of this dynasty would be carried over by three of them: Edward Henry, who became the successor to his father; James William, who managed a separate menagerie business and sideshow; and Frank Charles, who set off on his own direction touring the UK, Europe, and America.

The fascination for the exhibition of wild life, curiosities, and displays of human endeavour informed the emerging trends of entertainment throughout the Victorian era and early 20th century. However, the success of the business model depended on novelty; thus, as the population’s familiarity with the displays increases, so the business faltered. Consequently, the showing of wild animals evolved into a different form of entertainment all together through the incorporation of performance and the transition from the fairground to the circus arena.

Although Bostock and Wombwell continued presenting menageries until the fist third of the 20th century, strands of the family diversified into alternative types of business as early as 1897, when Frank’s brother, Edward Henry, opened The Scottish Zoo. Edward became one of the most prominent members of the Bostock family in the 20th century, expanding his business operations to the travelling circus, which included The Royal Italian Circus (formerly Volpi’s Circus) and several Hippodromes and picture palaces.

Bostock and Wombwell’s Menagerie showed for the last time at the Old Sheep Market in Newcastle on December 1931 with many of their animals ending their days in zoos and museums across the country.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records: