“Lord” George Sanger was a Victorian-era celebrity, captivating audiences with his circus. Often compared to P.T. Barnum, Sanger’s life holds many fascinating, yet tragic stories. This list explores ten dark facts about the illustrious life and mysterious death of Lord Sanger.
10. He Only Went to School for One Day
Entertainment ran deep in the Sanger family. Some say they arrived in England in the 13th century as court jesters, though they were actually farmers for generations. George followed in his father’s footsteps, assisting in the family’s traveling show.
His father, an “excellent talker,” shared stories from the Battle of Trafalgar, where he claimed to have witnessed Admiral Nelson’s death. George’s success didn’t depend on formal education; he reportedly attended school for only one day due to constant travel and performances.
9. He Was Not a Real Lord
Despite being known as “Lord” George Sanger, the title was self-proclaimed. He wasn’t born into nobility nor was he a member of the House of Lords. He prominently displayed the title on his circus posters, claiming it was a nickname others gave him due to his gentlemanly demeanor.
Some believe the title arose from a business dispute with William Frederick Cody, also known as “The Honourable” Buffalo Bill. Despite their rivalry, Cody regarded Sanger as a “fine old gentleman.”
8. Queen Victoria Was Amused by Him
Contrary to her serious reputation, Queen Victoria enjoyed the circus. In 1898, she invited George Sanger to perform at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She even teased him about his self-adopted title during a private audience.
Impressed, she invited Sanger again the following year to perform at Windsor Castle. Sanger’s circus entrance gate proclaimed it was “3 Times Patronized by the Queen.” He also shared a secret with the future King Edward VII: his famous white elephant was painted daily!
7. He Sometimes Lost His Elephants (and Lions!)
Transporting exotic animals was challenging. Sanger’s circus experienced several escapes, including lions and elephants, which livened up quiet towns. In 1884, two elephants, Ida and Palm, escaped during unloading in London.
They smashed gates, injured a gatekeeper, and even tried climbing stairs of a house, falling into the basement. Keepers used the other elephants to help rescue them. A lion also escaped once, prompting local soldiers and firefighters to respond. Sanger calmly led the frightened lion back to its cage.
6. His Wife Was a Famous Lion Tamer
In the 19th century, show business celebrities often married each other. George Sanger’s wife, Ellen “Nellie” Chapman, was a notable figure. Known as “The Lion Queen,” she was one of the first female lion tamers, debuting at age 16.
Her achievements included performing for Queen Victoria, being the first woman to put her head inside a lion’s mouth, surviving multiple lion attacks, and being mentioned in Charles Dickens’s letters. After marrying Sanger in 1850, she managed his show’s business affairs but returned to the cage when he added lions to the program.
5. He Is Widely Believed to Have Been Murdered with an Ax
George Sanger retired in 1905 at almost 80 years old. He settled on a farm, wrote his autobiography, Seventy Years a Showman, and cared for his animals. Tragedy struck in 1911 as his mental health declined.
On November 29, 1911, The New York Times reported, “LORD GEORGE SANGER SLAIN: Well-Known English Circus Owner Murdered by an Insane Employee.” Herbert Cooper, an employee accused of stealing, allegedly murdered Sanger with an ax. Public opinion quickly convicted Cooper.
4. His Accused Killer Decapitated Himself
Two days after Sanger’s murder, Herbert Cooper’s body was found on nearby railway tracks. He had laid down and been decapitated by a train, adding a gruesome end to the story.
Suicide notes revealed Cooper had no memory of killing Sanger but mentioned “something” happening and Sanger turning against him. The public interpreted his suicide as evidence of guilt, though the circumstances were more complex than initially believed.
3. He Did Not Die from an Ax Wound (and Might Not Have Been Murdered)
In 2022, author Karl Shaw questioned the ax murder narrative while writing Sanger’s biography. Checking police files, he found inconsistencies. Sanger died from head injuries on November 28, 1911, surviving for hours but unable to provide a statement.
Shaw noted that ax wounds typically cause instant death. Sanger’s injury was a bruise, possibly from an accidental fall. This challenged the widely accepted story of an ax murder.
2. The Accused Killer Could Have Been Framed
The case against Herbert Cooper relied on Harry Austin’s testimony, which was unreliable and biased. Austin initially claimed Cooper attacked others before Sanger, but later changed his statement. He also admitted to not seeing Cooper strike Sanger and suspected Cooper of having an affair with his wife, providing a motive to frame him.
Sanger’s grandson suggested that Cooper attacked others, and Sanger intervened with a candelabra. The blow was deflected, hitting Sanger’s head on a table. The ax was supposedly found later, unseen by police despite hours of investigation.
1. The Coroner Was Infamously Bad
Coroner Dr. Bernard Spilsbury’s involvement raised further questions. Despite his reputation, Spilsbury was not always accurate. He gained fame from the Dr. Crippen case but later faced scrutiny after many convictions based on his reports were questioned.
In Sanger’s case, Spilsbury dismissed alternative theories, solidifying Cooper’s image as an ax murderer. Spilsbury later committed suicide in 1947 as his work was discredited, highlighting the flaws in the investigation.
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