Batty, William, 1801 - 1868
Dates
- Existence: 1801 - 1868
Biography
William Batty (1801–1868) was one of the most successful Victorian circus proprietors in England.
Batty started his career in circus as an equestrian performer and by 1836 he was running his own circus. Batty trained some of the most significant circus performers and personalities of his time including Pablo Fanque and William Frederick Wallett aka The Queen’s Jester.
Batty managed the prestigious Astley's Amphitheatre from 1842 to 1853 and later leased it to William Cooke, who took it over until 1860.
In 1851, Batty famously opened Batty's Grand National Hippodrome in Kensington Gardens to cash in the audiences from the Crystal Palace Exhibition, where he offered feats of theatre and equestrianism.
William Batty died in 1868 in London, aged 67.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Early Circus Programmes, c1800 - 1999
Early British circus and variety programmes including Astley's, Batty's and Lord George Sanger's circus.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.