A blue plaque commemorating the first Black circus owner in Britain is set to be unveiled in Leeds.
Leeds Civic Trust confirmed news of the plaque for Pablo Fanque this morning (Thursday).
Mr Fanque, who is believed to have been born in Norwich in 1810, was a British equestrian performer.
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He was also the first Black circus owner in Britain after opening his circus in 1842 and toured across the country for over 30 years.
Mr Fanque married Susannah Marlaw and the couple had two sons. She tragically died on March 18, 1848, in Leeds in an accident in the building where the circus was performing.
When he died in 1872, he left instructions to be buried alongside his wife in Woodhouse Cemetry, which is now known as now St George's Fields.
Announcing the plaque, Leeds Civic Trust said: “We are thrilled to announce that next year we will be unveiling a new Blue Plaque in honour of Pablo Fanque.
“Pablo Fanque was a British equestrian performer and the first Black circus owner in Britain if not the world, he opened his circus in 1842 which toured up and down the country for over 30 years.
“‘During his lifetime he broke through the barriers of race and class to become a respected member of society. He was extremely popular in the north of England, especially in Leeds, where his circus performed many times in several venues in the city. In March 1848, his circus in Kings Charles Croft famously collapsed during a performance. Many were injured but there was only one fatality – his wife. She was buried in St George’s Field and thousands lined the streets of Leeds to watch the cortege pass by, so well respected was Fanque’s name. When Fanque later died in 1872 he left instructions for his body to be returned to Leeds to be buried beside his wife.’
“Words from Steve Ward Circademic researcher and author.
“Watch this space for further information on the unveiling and events leading up to the unveiling.”
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