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3 unusual facts about William Batty


William Batty

Batty was one of the most successful circus proprietors in Victorian England, and helped launch the careers of a number of leading Victorian circus personalities, such as Pablo Fanque, the versatile performer and later circus proprietor (best known today from his mention in The Beatles song "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!"), and W.F. Wallett, one of most celebrated clowns of the era.

Architect George Ledwell Taylor designed the structure, which the firm Haward and Nixon constructed of iron and wood.

When Astley's Amphitheatre suffered its third fire, Batty was in Dublin, and boarded the next steamer to London to arrange for its rebuilding in Westminster Street.



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