Daniel Lambert

Daniel Lambert: The Heaviest Man of His Time

Imagine a world where the heaviest man in recorded history walked among us. This is exactly what happened with Daniel Lambert, an English gaol keeper and animal breeder from Leicester who became famous for his unusually large size.

How Did He Get So Big?

Daniel Lambert’s weight began to increase steadily after he returned from Birmingham in 1793. By 1805, he had reached an astounding 50 stone (700 lb; 320 kg), making him the heaviest authenticated person up to that point in recorded history. His weight gain was so significant that his waistcoat could fit six men inside, and his stockings were as large as sacks.

From Gaoler to Exhibitionist

Despite his massive size, Lambert remained active and fit, walking long distances and even teaching swimming. However, his weight made it difficult for him to work or afford basic necessities, leading to a virtual recluse lifestyle. In 1806, he moved to London and charged visitors shillings (about £5.12 as of 2023) to see him, becoming highly fashionable among the middle and upper classes.

His Social Life and Humor

Lambert was sensitive about his weight but used humor to deflect attention from it. He became a subject for cartoonists and met King George III. Medical professionals examined him, finding that despite his massive size, his bodily functions worked correctly and he showed no signs of illness.

From Leicester to Stamford

After some months in London, Lambert returned to Leicester as a wealthy man. He resumed his favourite pastimes, including breeding sporting dogs and fighting cocks, and began attending sporting events again. Early the next year he returned to London, staying in the fashionable Leicester Square. He fell ill; his physician Dr Heaviside felt that his illness might have been caused by the polluted London air, and Lambert returned to Leicester.

His Final Days

Lambert was weighed in Ipswich; his weight was 52 stone 11 pounds (739 lb). No longer able to use stairs, he took lodgings on the ground floor of the Waggon & Horses inn at 47 High Street, Stamford. Following his arrival at Stamford, Lambert sent a message ordering advertisements and handbills. He died in bed on 21 June 1809 after complaining of breathing difficulties.

Legacy and Memorabilia

Lambert’s corpse rapidly putrefied, and he was placed inside an elm coffin built on wheels. A large gravestone was erected by his friends in Leicester to commemorate him. His position as the heaviest person in recorded history was soon overtaken, but he became a cult figure, with many items connected to him preserved for posterity.

His clothes and possessions were sold at auction to collectors, and many are preserved in museums today. Many public houses and inns across England were renamed after Daniel Lambert, particularly in Leicester and Stamford. The term ‘Daniel Lambert’ entered common use to refer to an exceptionally fat person, with Charles Dickens using it to describe George IV and others.

Daniel Lambert’s story is a testament to the unique and often overlooked aspects of history. He was more than just a large man; he was a symbol of resilience, humor, and the human condition. His legacy lives on in the stories we tell and the memorabilia that remains, reminding us of the extraordinary individuals who have walked among us.