Pablo Fanque and the Victorian Circus: A Romance of Real Life

by Gareth H.H. Davies

The life story of Pablo Fanque, or William Darby, the first black circus proprietor. His most recent fame is through the words of the Beatles song 'Being for the Benefit of Mr KIte'. Bornn in Norwich in 1810, he went on to become a nationally famous equestrian perfomer and circus owner.

130 pages, Paperback

Published March 27, 2017

Reviews

[James Tidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made famous from the song Being for the benefit of Mr Kite on the Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album. An interesting biography and outlook of Britain's first coloured circus proprietor; William 'Pablo Fanque' Darby. Born in Norwich in 1810 and dying at Wakefield in 1871. Also includes a basic story of the circus in the era of Fanque.

[Paul Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good survey of mid Victorian circus combined with the story of Pablo Fanque