This is a portrait of Daniel Lambert who was at one point considered to be the heaviest person in human history
At the age of 18, Lambert began working as a prison guard and was much respected for his ability to befriend and help rehabilitate many of the prisoners. Despite being physically active, abstaining from alcohol, and not eating large amounts of food, Lambert continued to steadily gain weight. By 1805, he weighed a whopping 700 lbs. (320 kgs).
Concerned for his own well-being, Lambert continued to exercise by taking long walks and building his strength. He once walked 7 miles (11 km) from Woolwich to the City of London “with much less apparent fatigue than several middle-sized men who were of the party”.
In terms of strength, Lambert was able to easily carry 560 lbs. (254 kg) and had the ability to stand on one leg. In one particular incident, demonstrating both his agility and strength, Lambert knocked out a bear that was trying to attack his dog.
In 1805, Lambert decided to put himself on exhibition and charge people a shilling to visit him in his home at 53 Piccadilly. He worked 5 hours a day, talking to nearly 400 daily visitors on a variety of topics concerning dogs, sports, and animal husbandry.
Lamber also enacted a rule that everyone who entered his home needed to remove their hats.
When one visitor reportedly refused to remove his hat “even if the King were present”, Lambert gently replied, “Then by G——, Sir, you must instantly quit this room, as I do not consider it a mark of respect due to myself, but to the ladies and gentlemen who honor me with their company.”
Lambert suddenly passed away in 1809 at the age of 39. His coffin was so large that it needed to be pulled by 20 men.
His gravestone read:
“In Remembrance of that Prodigy in Nature.
DANIEL LAMBERT.
a Native of Leicester:
who was possessed of an exalted and convivial Mind
and in personal Greatness had no Competitor
He measured three Feet one Inch round the Leg
nine Feet four Inches round the Body
and weighed
Fifty two Stone eleven Pounds!
He departed this Life on the 21st of June 1809
Aged 39 years
As a Testimony of Respect this Stone is erected by his Friends in Leicester”
Theodore Lee is the editor of Caveman Circus. He strives for self-improvement in all areas of his life, except his candy consumption, where he remains a champion gummy worm enthusiast. When not writing about mindfulness or living in integrity, you can find him hiding giant bags of sour patch kids under the bed.