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Whimsical Walker, 1851 - 1934

 Person

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 1 Collection or Record:

Circus Research Material, 1891 - 1935

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178B30.37
Scope and Contents A large volume of typed and handwritten material referring to information published in newspapers and journals including the Strand Magazine, The Royal Magazine, McClure's Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, The Bookman, The World Magazine, Cassells's Magazine, American Magazine, The Toronto Star Weekly, Everybody's Magazine, Collier's Illustrated Weekly, St. Nicholas Magazine, Popular Science Monthly, Pearson's Magazine and Saturday Evening Post on animal training and other aspects of wild...
Dates: 1891 - 1935
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Monographs, Articles, Manuscripts and Research Material

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