W. F. Wallett
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William Frederick "W.F." Wallett was a popular circus clown in Victorian England, who also enjoyed modest celebrity in the United States. After he performed before Queen Victoria in 1844 at Windsor Ca
WF Wallett, celebrated Clown and Jester, appearing before Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Royal Family, 11 July 1844
Plaque on the cottage at 220 Station Road, Beeston
Pablo Fanque
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Pablo Fanque was a British equestrian performer and circus proprietor, becoming the first recorded Black circus owner in Britain. His circus was popular in Victorian Britain for 30 years, a period tha
W. F. Wallett
…Jester", and described himself this way in the title of his 1870 autobiography. For many years, he performed in the circus owned by his good friend Pablo Fanque (whose name is familiar to many today from his mention in The Beatles song, "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!") Wallett also helped manage Fanque's…
Pablo Fanque
Fanque at Astley's Amphitheatre, 1847
The poster for Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal from 1843 that inspired the Beatles' song "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!"
Graves of Susannah and William Darby