ROLL UP, roll up for a remarkable revelation – the world’s first lion tamer hailed from the North-East.

In 1878, a Darlington-born 12-year-old took to the circus arena to replace an injured animal trainer in his family’s show.

Within years, the boy’s reputation had spread across the world – from the North-East to Coney Island, Frank Charles Bostock was recognised as a showman extraordinaire.

The splendidly moustachioed entertainer is now remembered as the first man to realise big cats were afraid of chairs – his animal training manual, published in 1903 and still in print today, is a blueprint for lion tamers as we recognise them today.

However, lion taming was not the only string to Bostock’s bow – he was also the inventor of the circular big top and a shrewd businessman whose publicity stunts and dramatic shows attracted headlines and crowds across the globe.

Bostock’s wild animal shows were well-known in Britain, where he toured with his carnival for years, but it would take a headline grabbing publicity stunt to cement his reputation in the USA.

In 1893, the New York Press’ front page was dominated by the headline ‘READ WHAT THE NEW YORK PRESS SAID ABOUT THIS TERRIBLE BEAST!’.

The accompanying story detailed the escape and recapture – staged by Bostock and his press agent friend - of the 900lb lion, Wallace – accused of causing the deaths of three men in England before escaping from stables in New York.

The orchestrated stunt launched Bostock’s career in America, where he staged and managed shows up until his death in 1912, including seasons at the world-famous Coney Island.

Consul the Man Chimp was perhaps the showman’s most sensational act, a remarkable animal who thrust Bostock firmly into the limelight.

Consul, last seen dressed as a chauffeur and driving a car down Fleet Street to a newspaper office, was a chimp much-loved for his aping of human behaviour.

Dressed to impress, Consul walked upright, drank wine, smoked and only travelled first class – once occupying a suite of rooms at the Paris Hotel Continental where his neighbours included heads of states and rich adventurers. He was insured for £20,000 and lay in state at the Paris Hippodrome following his tragic death.

Bostock’s many exploits were well documented, including the occasion on which he recaptured a lion which had escaped into the sewers of Birmingham and the fines he received for erecting shows and booths on Wanstead Flats in London.

Bostock’s dedication to his animal colleagues was well-known – at the time of his death he owned more than 1,000 animals and was respected for treating them kindly, despite being at the receiving end of several maulings.

According to research compiled by the National Fairground Archive, Bostock’s maulings usually came as he attempted to save other trainers.

His worst mauling happened when he saved the life of animal trainer Gertrude Planka and ended up spending four months in hospital – he was also seriously injured by his tiger Rajah in 1901, just days after it had apparently torn an employee of his to pieces.

However, it was the injuries sustained when he rescued trainer Jack Bonavita – who had previously lost a hand after a mauling from a lion - that were said to have contributed to his death from a stroke at the young age of 46.

Bostock died in London on October 8 1912, having returned to the UK to live while still running a vast array of shows in America, Australia, Europe and South Africa.

Aside from his more daring exploits, Bostock is remembered for his kindness and generosity, attributes that apparently guided the way in which he conducted both his life and business.

The charitable showman is credited as having instructed his managers to always “be sure to look out for the little orphans” and is quoted as having said “Kindness is the whip used to lead dumb animals to obey.”

He is buried at the Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington where his grave is fittingly presided over by an elaborately carved lion.

The National Fairground Archive is situated at the University of Sheffield Library.

For more information, visit nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk.