The World’s First Bodybuilding Show

In 1901, the first bodybuilding show in history took place, and it was organised by none other than Eugen Sandow, the man known as the father of modern bodybuilding. The competition was attended by 60 competitors, who each had to secure their place through a series of rigorous qualifier competitions, held across Great Britain. In the end, it ended up being a sellout success at London's Royal Albert Hall. Yet, difficulties faced by Eugen Sandow almost meant that the the first bodybuilding show never took place. In this documentary, I take a look at the real story behind the First Bodybuilding Show.

Music

  1. ANBR - Rain

  2. Fabien Tell - Other Sides of Glory

  3. Fabien Tell - The Farmer

  4. Jon Bjork - Spirit Seed

  5. Alec Slayne - The Search For More

  6. Emil Axelsson - I Think I Was There

  7. Gridded - Electronic Twitch

  8. Arthur Benson - Climbing the Fence

  9. Anthony Vega - Sniffy

  10. Jon Bjork - Working It Out

  11. Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen- The Road Less Travelled

  12. Arthur Benson - Running Through the Palace

  13. Howard Harper-Barnes - Progressive Progress

  14. Arthur Bensons - Behind You

  15. Arthur Bensons - Careless Wandering

  16. Ziv Grinberg - Its Fun Being a Cat

  17. Ian Post - Eminence Landscapes

  18. idokay - Life’s Journey Begins

  19. Fabien Tell - These Feelings

  20. Nobou - Dreamers

  21. Nobou - Silent Dreams

  22. Silver Maple - Reverse

  23. Ardie Son - A Soaring Swan Sister

  24. Sight of Wonders - Riding Home Safely

  25. Ardie Son - Particles

  26. Ian Post - Endless Fields, Pizzicato Version

  27. Jon Bjork - New Scenes

  28. Maya Belsitzman & Matan Ephrat - First Impression

  29. Southside Aces - Is Leroy On It

  30. Raymond Grouse - Pave the Way

  31. Ardie Son - First Sunrise

  32. Gavin Luke -The Sum Of All Things

Sources

  1. The Connoisseur, An Illustrated Magazine For Collectors, 1901 (Coverage of Sandow’s School of Physical Culture)

    Volume XXV, P. 398-404 | Getty Research Institute

  2. ‘Sandow Turns Editor’, The Sketch, 1899 (Story on Sandow’s Magazine)
    29 June 1898 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  3. Sandow’s Magazine of Physical Culture, Vol.1, 1898(First outlining of Sandow’s Great Great Competition)

    Eugen Sandow, Volume 01, July-December, P. 447, 481-482 | Wellcome Collection

  4. Strength and How to Obtain It, 1897

    Eugen Sandow, P. 32, 158 | Book sourced from own collection

  5. Sandow The Magnificent, 1994

    David L. Chapman, P 129-135 | Book sourced from own collection

  6. Sandow on Physical Training : A Study in the Perfect Type of the Human Form, 1894

    Eugen Sandow and Adam G. Mercer, P.237-238 | University of Toronto Library

  7. ‘Sandow here again', Anadarko Daily Democrat, 1901 (Sandow as an international icon)

    13th November 1901 | Library of Congress

  8. ‘Best Way to Get Strong’, Wheeling Sunday Register, 1894 (Interview with Sandow, presenting him as an authority in physical culture)

    22nd April 1894 | Library of Congress

  9. ‘The Ladies Idolize Sandow’, The National Police Gazette (Sandow as an icon)

    Open Court Publishing Co, Cover | Internet Archive

  10. ‘Cycling’, 1897 (Sandow promoting himself as an all round athlete)

    13th March 1897 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  11. Sandow’s Magazine of Physical Culture, Vol. 2, 1899 (Ongoing coverage of Sandow’s Great Great Competition)

    Eugen Sandow, 1899, Volume 02, Jan-June, P. 218, 402 | Extracts provided directly by Conor Heffernan

  12. Sculpture Machine: Physical Culture and Body Politics in the Age of Empire, 1997 (References competitors for Sandow’s Great Competition)

    Michael Anton Budd, P. 101-109 | Internet Archive

  13. Sandow’s Magazine of Physical Culture, Vol. 7, 1901. (Coverage of Great Competition)

    Eugen Sandow, Volume 07 No.37, October, P. 26-29, 288-292 | Physical copy provided by Tony Walker.

  14. Bradford Daily Telegraph, 1899 (Sheffield Qualifier Coverage)
    12th September 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  15. ‘Successful Dundee Competitor’ Dundee Courier, 1899 (Story about competitor Douglas Shepard, reference to Edinburgh Qualifier)

    6th October 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  16. ‘Physical Culture at the Crystal Palace’ London Evening Standard, 1899 (Coverage of London Qualifier)

    2nd December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  17. ’Sandow’s Great Competition, Cornishman, 1899 (Coverage of contestant B. Lambert, reference to London Qualifier)

    7th December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  18. ‘Physical Culture in the South of England’, St James's Gazette, (Coverage of London Qualifier)

    30th November 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  19. ‘Sandow’s School, Crystal Palace’Morning Post, 1899 (Coverage of London Qualifier)

    30th November 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  20. ‘Physical Culture in the South of England’, St James’s Gazette, 1899 (Coverage of London Qualifier)

    30th November 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  21. ‘Physical Culture at the Crystal Palace’, Croydon Chronicle and East Surrey, 1899 (Coverage of London Qualifier)

    2nd December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  22. ‘Physical Culture at the Crystal Palace’, Westminster Gazette, 1899 (Coverage of London Qualifier)

    30th November 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  23. ‘Sandow’s Physical Culture Competition’ Belfast News-Letter, 1899 (Coverage of competitor W.B. Milligan)

    12th September 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  24. ‘Local Strong Men’, Lakes Herald - Friday 22 September 1899 (Coverage of competitor E. Westmorland, reference to Newcastle Qualifier)

    22nd September 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  25. Bradford Weekly Telegraph, 1899 (Reference to Sheffield Qualifier)

    16th September 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  26. Essex Standard - Saturday 02 December 1899 (Coverage of Competitors T. C. Weakley, E. A. Horner and W. A. Salver, reference to London qualifier)

    2nd December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  27. Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser, 1899 (Coverage of competitor E. J. Blunt)

    8th December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  28. ‘Death of an Irish Athlete’, Banbury Beacon, 1899 (Brief story covering the death of Mr. C. B. Irwin)

    30th September 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  29. ‘Local Success’, Abergavenny Chronicle, 1899 (Coverage of competitor J. Charles Townsend, reference to Cardiff qualifier)

    15th September 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  30. Scottish Referee, 1900 (Coverage of competitor D. T. Cooper, makes reference to lack of weights available in gyms at the time)

    19th November 1898 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  31. Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1898 (Early ad for Sandow’s Great Competition, centres around Golden Statuettes)

    9th December 1898 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  32. Bristol Mercury, 1898 (Large advert for Sandow’s Great Competition)

    22nd November 1898 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  33. Dundee Courier, 1899 (Brief coverage of competitor W. Carroll)

    9th February 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  34. ‘Physical Culture Competition’, Manchester Courier, 1899 (Coverage of Manchester Qualifier)

    25th August 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  35. Worcestershire Chronicle, 1899 (Coverage of competitors J. Gill, G. Hayes and F. A. Lewis)

    7th October 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  36. Bedfordshire Mercury, 1899 (Coverage of competitor G. Riley)

    8th December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  37. Bedfordshire Mercury, 1899 (Coverage of competitors G. J. Benson and C.Hendrick)

    1st December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  38. Luton Times and Advertiser, 1899 (Coverage of competitors G. J. Benson and C. Hendrick, with reference to original projected competition date of January 1900)

    8th December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  39. Gloucester Citizen, 1899 (Coverage of Competitor A. I. Flowers)

    9th December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  40. Northern Whig, 1899 (Coverage of competitor Alfred E. Francis, reference to Belfast Qualifier)

    11th September 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  41. The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1902 (Bodybuilder Samuel S. White is advertised as being a gold medalist at Sandow’s Qualifier 1899 in London)

    14th August 1902 | Library of Congress

  42. ‘Success of South Shields Strong Youth’, Shields Daily Gazette, 1899 (Coverage of Competitor Joseph Wardle, reference to Newcastle Qualifier)

    18th September 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  43. Aberdeen Press and Journal, 1899 (Coverage of competitor H. Hall, reference to Edinburgh Qualifier)

    4th October 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  44. ‘Development’ Competition’,Saffron Walden Weekly News, 1899 (Coverage of competitor Walter H. Glasscock)

    1st December 1899 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  45. Middlesex Gazette, 1900 (Very brief mention of competitor A. E. Smythe prior to Great Competition referencing his as Gold Medalist)

    26th May 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  46. ‘Health and Politics: The British Physical Deterioration Report of 1904, 1965

    Bently B. Gilbert, Vol. 39, No. 2 March-April 1965, P. 143-153 | The John Hopkins University Press

  47. Cambridge Daily News (Sandow hosts two lectures in Cambridge)

    15th February 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  48. ‘Sandow at Cambridge’, Cambridge Daily News (More extensive article on Sandow lecturing in Cambridge

    6th March 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  49. The Daily Morning Journal and Courier, 1896 (Sandow on advertisement for Johann Hoff’s Malt Extract)

    1st April 1896 | Library of Congress

  50. ‘Mr Sandow on Natural & Scientific Nerve Culture’, The Aeroplane, 1911

    1911 | University of Illinois

  51. ‘Sandow’s Patent Spring Grip Dumbbells’, Ground Tumbling, 1910

    1910 | Library of Congress

  52. Modern Man, 1909 (Ad for Sandow’s Developer)

    20th March 1909 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  53. ‘Go to Sandow’, The Windsor Magazine, 1895

    1895 | University of Michigan

  54. Derby Daily Telegraph (Sandow hosts three lectures in Derby)

    21st February 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  55. Cambridge Daily News, 1900 (Sandow lectures in Cambridge)

    28th February 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  56. ‘Sandow’s visit to Edinburgh’, Edinburgh Evening News

    24th March 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  57. Barbados Agricultural Reporter, 1900 (Advert for Strength and How to Obtain it)

    9th October 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  58. ‘Burglars at Sandow's’, Edinburgh Evening News, 1898

    24th August 1898 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  59. ‘A Question of Decency with Deuel as Judge’, The Evening World, 1900 (Comstock takes Macfadden to court over indecency charges relating to posters for his physical culture contest)

    24th March 1906 | Library of Congress

  60. ‘M’Kinley Shot’, The Topeka State Journal, 1901

    6th September 1900 | Library of Congress

  61. ‘Gone to the Beyond’, The Topeka State Journal, 1901

    6th September 1900 | Library of Congress

  62. ‘The Amateur Weightlifting Championship’, Manchester Evening News, 1901 (Coverage of a weightlifting competition that D. T. Cooper competed in)

    28th January 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  63. ‘The Amateur Weightlifting Championship’, Athletic News, 1901 (More coverage of the above competition)

  64. 28th January 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  65. 'Penny Illustrated Paper, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition, along with large sketch)

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  66. ‘Mr Sandow’s Gold Statuette won by a Nottingham Man’, Stalybridge Reporter, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  67. Leonard (Len Murray) Remembers Three Generations of a Textile Dyeing Family), Knitting International, 1989

    April 1989 | Physical Extract provided by Tony Walker

  68. ‘Uncovering the History of William L. Murray, Bodybuilding’s First Champion’, 2022.

    Conor Heffernan, P. 3-11 | Stark Center

  69. Globe, 1901 (Confirmation that the profits of the Great Competition were sent to the Mansion House Transvaal War Relief Fund)

    30th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  70. Volunteer Record & Shooting News, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    13th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  71. ‘The Sandow Competition’, The People, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    15th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  72. Boxing World and Mirror of Life, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition, discusses the lack of leg development among the competitors.

    18th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  73. ‘Sandow 1,000 Guineas Competition’, St James's Gazette, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competiton)

    16th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  74. ‘Physical Culture at the Royal Albert Hall’, Norfolk News, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  75. ‘Sandow’s 1000 Guinea Physical Culture Competition, ‘Stonehaven Journal, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    19th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  76. Portsmouth Evening News, 1901 (Short coverage of Great Competition)

    16th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  77. ‘A Remarkable Athletic Display’, Pall Mall Gazette, 1901 (Coverage and review of Great Competition)

    16th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  78. ‘The Sandow Competition’, Globe, 1901 (Coverage of the Great Competition)

    16th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  79. ‘Sandow’s Gold Statuette, Lynn News & County Press, 1901 (Article referencing Sandow’s Great Competition

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  80. ‘Great Contest at the Royal Albert Hall’, The Referee, 1901 (Coverage and review of Great Competition)

    15th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  81. ‘An Array of Strong Men’, Brecon County Times, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    20th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  82. ‘A British Hercules’, Newark Advertiser - Wednesday 18 September 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    18th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  83. ‘The Sandow 1000 Competition for Physical Culture at the Royal Albert Hall’, Newark Herald, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  84. The Stage, 1901 (Brief coverage of the Great Competition)

    19th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  85. ‘Sandow’s Great Competition and Physical Culture Display’, Aberdeen Press and Journal, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    19th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  86. ‘Sandow’s Plan’, The St. Louis Republic, 1901 (International Coverage of the Competition),

    18th September 1901 | Library of Congress

  87. ‘Physique by Compulsion’, The Washington Times, 1901 (International coverage of the Great Competition)

    27th October 1901 | Library of Congress

  88. Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 1901 (Coverage of Great Competition)

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  89. ‘Physical Culture’, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Commentary of general health of Edwardian British society, makes reference to Sandow’s Great Competition)

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  90. ‘W. L. Murray…D.Cooper’, Sports Argus (Profiles on both W. L. Murray and D. T. Cooper following competition)

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  91. ‘A “Physical Culture” Display’, Westminster Gazette, 1901 (Coverage of Sandow’s Great Competition)

    16th September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  92. ‘One Thousand Guineas Competition’, The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Newspaper, 1901 (International coverage of Sandow’s Great Competition)

    2nd November 1901 | Trove

  93. ‘Physical Culture - The Perfect Man’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 1901 (International coverage of Sandow’s Great Competition)

    29th October 1901 | Trove

  94. ‘An Australian Competition’, Sydney Evening News, 1902 (Reference to Sandow’s Great Competition, and commitment from Sandow to host a physique competition in Australia)

    27th October 1902 | Trove

  95. The Washington Times, 1901 (International coverage of Sandow’s Great Competition)

    27th October 1901 | Library of Congress

  96. ‘W. L. Murray, Arnold F. C, Football News Nottingham, 1900 (Piece on W. L. Murray prior to his win at Sandow’s Great Competition.

    24th February 1900 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  97. Memories and Adventures, 1994 (Doyle recites competition and interaction with W. L. Murray)

    Arthur Conan Doyle, P 206-207 | Project Gutenberg

  98. Albert E. Smythe in the 1901 England Census

    Ancestry [Account Required to view]

  99. Albert E. Smythe in the 1911 England Census
    Ancestry [Account Required to view]

  100. ‘Wrestling at the Lyceum’, Globe, 1906 (Albert E. Smythe looses high profile wrestling match)

    23rd March 1906 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  101. ‘Sandow’s Pupil Beaten’, Daily Mirror, 1906 (Albert E. Smythe looses high profile wrestling match)

    26th January 1906 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  102. ‘Wrestling’ Morning Post, 1906 (Further coverage of the above wrestling match)

    26th January 1906 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  103. Cannock Chase Courier, 1908 (Small ad for Albert E. Smythe’s ad, referenced as ‘Sandow’s Living Model’)

    29th February 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  104. Morning Leader, 1906 (Short ad for Albert E. Smythe’s wrestling match with Jack Smith)

    25th January 1906 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  105. Port-Glasgow Express, 1910 (Small for Albert E. Smythe’s ad, referenced as ‘Sandow’s Favourite Pupil’
    01 June 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  106. ‘Sandow’s Model Pupil’, Dundee Evening Telegraph, 1911 (References Albert E. Smythe touring with Sandow as his pupil)

    30th May 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  107. Music Hall and Theatre Review, 1909 (References Albert E. Smythe as the floor manager of the Gourock Pavillion)

    14th October 1909 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  108. Port-Glasgow Express, 1909 (References Albert E. Smythe as resident manager of the Gourock Pavillion)

    1st December 1909 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  109. ‘Albert E. Smythe’, Cleveland Standard, 1912 (Albert E. Smythe as a Theatre Manager)

    24th August 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  110. The Bioscope, 1913 (Albert E. Smythe as a Theatre Manager)

    24th July 1913 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  111. Kinematograph Weekly, 1912 (Albert E. Smythe as a Theatre Manager)

    26th September 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  112. England Deaths and Burials, Albert Ernest Smythe, 1917

    England Deaths and Burials, 1589-1991, Family Search [Account Required to view]

  113. England and Wales Death Registration Index, Albert E. Smythe, 1917

    Death Registration Index, 1837-2007, Ancestry [Account Required to view]

  114. Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, A E Smythe, 1917

    Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1927 | Ancestry [Account Required to view]

  115. 'Summer Hill Guild Gymnasium’, Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1901 (D. T. Cooper takes up management role of the gymnasium

    21st October 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  116. ‘A Local Gymnast’, Birmingham Weekly Post, 1902 (D. T. Cooper becomes a physical instructor under the Birmingham Athletic Club)

    1st November 1902 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  117. ‘Perfect Physique: Curious Contest in Leeds, 1903 (D. T. Cooper competing at a physique contest)

    20th November 1903 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  118. ‘A “Beauty” Competition, Western Evening Herald, 1903 (Another article regarding D. T. Cooper’s entry into the above contest)

    20th November 1903 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  119. ‘Splendid Men Beautiful Women’, Northampton Mercury (Another article re the previously mentioned contest)

    20th November 1903 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  120. ‘Birmingham Physique’, Evening Despatch, 1903 (Another article re the above, features a sketch of D. T. Cooper

    21st November 1903 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  121. ‘Physical Culture’, The Sketch, 1903 (D. T. Cooper mentioned within coverage of above physique contest, states that his physique is ‘not so well proportioned’)

    9th December 1903 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  122. ‘Summer Hill Gymnasium’, Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1905 (Description of an interesting weightlifting demonstration by D. T. Cooper)

    14th March 1905 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  123. ‘Heavy-Weight-Lifting and Posing by Professor Cooper’, Tenbury Wells Advertiser, 1907

    19th November 1907 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  124. Daniel T. Cooper on the 1911 England Census

    Ancestry [Account Required to view]

  125. ‘Y.M.C.A Gymnasium', Examiner, 1922 (D. T. Cooper takes up a management role at the Launceston Y.M.C.A)

    15th April 1922 | Trove

  126. ‘Y.M.C.A Gymnastic Display, Daily Telegraph (D. T. Cooper organises a gymnastic display)

    14th August 1924 | Trove

  127. Football News Nottingham, 1901 (W. L. Murray gives interview in aftermath of his win).

    21st September 1901 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  128. ‘A Strong Man In Norwich’, Eastern Evening News, 1904 (Interview with W. L. Murray)

    22nd August 1904 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  129. London and Provincial Entr'acte, 1905 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in London)

    3rd June 1905 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  130. ‘Murray, Sandow Prize Winner’, Music Hall and Theatre Review, 1903 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in Manchester)

    03rd July 1903 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  131. ‘Murray, Sandow Prize Winner’, Music Hall and Theatre Review, 1902 (Ad for W. L. Murray)

    18th July 1902 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  132. ‘W. L. Murray: Britain’s Idea of Physical Culture’, Blackpool Times, 1904 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in Blackpool)

    18th October 1904 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  133. ‘Murray, Winner of the Sandow Competition’, Derby Daily Telegraph, 1902 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in Derby)

    24th April 1902 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  134. ‘First Appearance of W. L. Murray’, Dundee Evening Telegraph, 1903 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in Dundee)

    24th March 1903 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  135. ‘The Finest Developed Man in the World, W. L. Murray, Dundee Evening Post, 1904 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in Dundee)

    15th November 1905 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  136. Ireland's Saturday Night, 1908 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in Ireland)

    17th October 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  137. ‘W. L. Murray, Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth & District Daily Circular, 1908 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in Leamington)

    17th September 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  138. Burnley Express, 1903 (Positive short review of W. L. Murray’s performance in Burnley)

    23rd September 1903 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  139. ‘W. L. Murray’, London and Provincial Entr'acte, 1905 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act)

    20th May 1905 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  140. Belfast News-Letter, 1908 (Ad for W. L. Murray’s act in Belfast)

    13th May 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  141. Staffordshire Sentinel, 1904 (Article on W. L. Murray’s act and feats)

    19th January 1904 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  142. Eastbourne Chronicle, 1907 (Description of W. L. Murray’s performance in Eastborne)

    17th December 1907 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  143. ‘Winner of the Gold Sandow Statuette’, Football News, 1906 (Small article on W. L. Murray)

    31st March 1906 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  144. ‘The Winner of the Sandow Gold Statuette and Notts Footballer’, Football News, 1908 (Interview with W. L. Murray)

    11th April 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  145. Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser, 1909 (W. L. Murray’s show described as ‘magnificent)

    8th April 1909 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  146. Oxford Journal, 1910 (W. L. Murray makes his last known appearance as a strongman)

    5th October 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  147. Derby Daily Telegraph (W. L. Murray headlines a show in Derby)

    22nd April 1902 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  148. Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal (W. L. Murray headlines a show in Derby)

    25th April 1902 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  149. Music Hall and Theatre Review, 1908 (Single line review of W. L. Murray’s act states it to be ‘well received’)

    02nd October 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  150. Nottingham Journal, 1908 (W. L. Murray performs in Nottingham)

    30th October 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  151. Sheerness Guardian and East Kent Advertiser, 1908 (W. L. Murray performs in Sheerness)

    15th February 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  152. ‘The Newcastle Hippodrome’, Northern Echo, 1912 (W. L. Murray takes up a role as a manager of the Newcastle Hippodrome)
    23rd November 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  153. ‘Mighty Men of Muscle’, Evening Star, 1890 (examples of popular strongmen from the late 19th century, illustrating the kinds of strength feats/claims required to stay relevant)

    March 15th, 1890 | Library of Congress

  154. ‘Sandow’s Fair Rival’, The Cheyenne Daily Leader, 1893 (article primarily focusing on strongwoman Yucca, which further illustrates the kinds of strength feats that strength athletes claimed in order to gather attention)

    July 25th, 1890 | Library of Congress

  155. ‘Modern Samsons’, The Abbeville Press and Banner, 1891 (article focusing on prominent strongmen, further illustrating the kinds of strength feats/claimed made by them in order to stay relevant).

    April 9th, 1896 | Library of Congress

  156. ‘Modern Giants’, Fort Worth Gazette, 1891 (article covering prominent strongmen including Sandow, showing the kinds of feats claimed in order to stay relevant)

    November 2nd 1891 | Library of Congress

  157. ‘Marvels of Femininity who are preparing to contest’, Pine Bluff Daily Graphic, 1895(article focusing on prominent strongwomen from the time, showing the kinds of audacious feats that strongwomen from this time claimed.

    July 21st, 1895 | Library of Congress

  158. Penny Illustrated Paper, 1896 (Interview with Sandow, example of him providing fairly inflated lifting feats and own body measurements)

    28th November 1896 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  159. ‘Louis Cyr’, Canada's Invincible Giant of Strength, The Red Cloud Chief, 1898 (Ad for Louis Cyr’s ad, further showing the kinds of strength feats that strongmen claimed in ads for their shows)

    April 29th, 1898 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  160. ‘Eugen Sandow’, The Kootenai Herald (description of Sandow’s act, covering the kinds of on stage feats he performed)

    October 17th, 1898 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  161. England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007, William L Murray

    1949 | Family Search [Account Required to view]

  162. Nottingham Evening Post (W. L. Murray’s trophy is uncovered)

    29th May 1975 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  163. ‘Physical Culture in Penrith: An Interesting Exhibition’, Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, 1900 (Physique Competition which took prior to Sandow’s)

    07th April 1900| British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]

  164. Worthing Gazette, 1910 (Article covering Murray’s transition into theatre business management

    09th March 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Account Required to view]