Whimsical Walker, 1851 - 1934
Dates
- Existence: 21 July 1851 - 10 November 1934
Biography
Whimsical Walker was a British circus performer, actor and clown, born on 21 July 1851 in Hull as Thomas Henry Walker. His mother was a landlady and his father an advance foreman for Cook’s Circus.
Whimsical Walker started his performing career at an early age and by the time he was eight years old he was already performing with Pablo Fanque’s Circus. He was a multitalented performer, trained in equestrianism, tumbling, ropewalking and clowning, but became most famous for his clowning and as a pantomime actor.
Over the course of his career, Whimsical Walker became one of the most famous clowns of his time both in the UK and internationally. He travelled around the world several times with some of the most successful circuses of the time including Henglers and Barnum & Bailey. He also performed by Royal command on several occasions during his career.
Whimsical Walker died on 10 November 1934, aged 83 years old.
Found in 11 Collections and/or Records:
Bertram Mills Circus Drawing, 22 December 1929
Circus Friends Association Collection
This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses
Circus Photographs, 1910 - 1964
Circus Research Material, 1891 - 1935
Newspaper Cuttings and Scapbooks, 1838 - 2007
A collection of newspaper cuttings on circus, circus proprietors and performers and scrapbooks containing newspaper cuttings, posters, programmes and other items of ephemera, covering mainly British circuses and venues such as Belle Vue and also some international circuses.
Newspaper Cuttings and Scrapbooks, 1904 - 1973
Newspaper cuttings and scrapbooks related to Showmen's transport, trade related bye-laws and general Showmen's news from various newspapers and publications.
Newspaper Cuttings on Circus, c1900 - 1999
Three newspaper cuttings relating to circuses, one part of an article by the clown Whimsical Walker, one about a luxury showman's van built for C.J. Birkmyre of Billy Smart's Circus and one about the animal trainer Alexander Kerr.
Original Artwork, c1800 - 2000
Original works of art including artists' prints, drawings, watercolours and paintings, and designs for circus posters.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1925 - 1936
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, advertisments and black and white photographs relating to multiple circuses and acts including Belle Vue Circus, Hengler's Circus, Blackpool Tower, and Sir Robert Fossetts, includes deaths of Buff Bill Kayes, Whimsical Walker the clown and Mary Ann Bevan 'the world's ugliest woman', 61p.p.
Showmen's Guild Scrapbook, 1926 - 1929
Scrapbook containing news on taxation, roads, gaming and gambling, women working at the fair, Mitcham Fair, Nottingham Goose Fair, legislation, transport, circus, charitable donations, accidents and safety at the fair, coconut shies and Whimsical Walker's retirement from various newspapers.
The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain Collection
The main extent of the collection contains yearbooks, meetings and minutes, correspondence and a record of day to day activities within The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain.