Daniel Lambert and the story of his impressive figure (8 photos)

Gluttony is a sin. But who among us doesn’t like to eat delicious food?





However, for the most part, people calmly break away from even their most favorite dishes and delicious dishes, realizing that intemperance threatens poor health and health problems. But this man actually became a prisoner and hostage of food, although he did not eat much.



If Daniel Lambert were alive today, he would transport his 300-plus kilograms on a scooter, as many obese people do. But in the early 1800s, such amenities were not available. And there were no particularly obese people. Lambert was a real anomaly, a huge anomaly. And those around him couldn’t get enough of him.

Lambert, once called England's leading fat man, became the first obese man reputed to have made a living by flaunting his weight.





Lambert was born on March 13, 1770 in the parish of St. Martin's in Leicester and grew up much larger and more powerful than his peers. The boy loved to swim, and, according to rumors, while in the water, he could carry two adult men of normal height on his back. He also enjoyed other sports, including cockfighting, greyhound racing and fishing.

As he grew older, Lambert's weight steadily increased. By the age of 23, he weighed more than 200 kilograms. But before he decided to become a professional fat man, the man worked as a keeper of the city prison until 1805. After which the institution closed, and Lambert was given a maintenance of 50 pounds.



Pair of Lambert trousers

By this time, Lambert's size had grown significantly, as had his fame. Curious people wanted to see this unusual man with their own eyes, but Lambert did not want to expose himself to public scrutiny. The number of onlookers who came to his house to stare at the fat man grew. And Lambert realized that he, a former prison warden, was becoming a prisoner in his own home.

In April 1806, when the money was almost gone, the man got over himself and decided to let people pay for the opportunity to look at him.

To make the most of his potential, the fat man moved to where the greatest number of people could find him - London. Lambert built a special carriage to move to the big city and settled in Piccadilly. Spectators were impressed not only by his size, but also appreciated his intelligence and enjoyed communicating with the mountain man. It has become fashionable to visit it.



Naturally, not everyone treated Lambert well, and there was some hate. But when evil visitors crossed the border, Daniel paid them back in the same coin.

In the book dedicated to the unusual character, it is described that one person rudely asked him about the cost of one of his coats, but Lambert did not answer. The man repeated the question, noting that, in his opinion, he had a right to demand any information, since he had contributed his shilling. Which, in fact, will help pay for Mr. Lambert's coat, as well as all the others. “Sir,” replied Lambert, “if I knew what part of my next coat your shilling would pay for, I assure you I would cut out that piece.”



As a result, Lambert earned enough money to stop performing and returned to a normal life, which included breeding dogs and fighting cocks. But from time to time he continued to travel to different cities, where “many thousands of people watched with admiration his amazing mass.”

His tour ended at Stamford in Lincolnshire, where the distinguished fat man died suddenly on June 21, 1809. The exact cause of death was not reported. His custom-made coffin was equipped with wheels to help him roll into his grave.



Despite his death, exhibitions dedicated to Lambert continued. In 1813, his wax figure was sent to the States. In 1865, it burned down during a fire.

More recently, in 2009, the city of Leicester celebrated Daniel Lambert Day, marking the 200th anniversary of his death. The local newspaper called him "one of the most reveredbeloved icons of the city."