Lambert: Leicester's largest son

It needed 20 men to lower Daniel's coffin into his grave

Daniel Lambert was born in Leicester on 13 March 1770, as normal sized child.

By the time of his death, 39 years later, he weighed a massive 53st and his waist measured in at over 9ft.

While Daniel may be ridiculed for his vast size today, back in Georgian times he was celebrated as a British Champion and the pride of Leicester.

Daniel, who grew up in a family of gamekeepers, huntsmen and field sportsmen, still retains a place in the Guinness Book of Records for his size.

Throughout his boyhood, Daniel was active, healthy, athletic - and slim. In fact, he was an excellent swimmer from the age of eight and taught many other children to swim in the River Soar.

A slim boy

His family background also meant he was a keen rider, spending much of his time galloping around the rural landscape surrounding Leicester.

The history books tell of a time when, while out riding one day, he came across a wild bear which he punched to the ground, causing her to roar out in pain and flee.

In 1791, at the age of 21, Daniel took over from his father as the Keeper of Leicester's House of Correction on Highcross Street.

Before long he had earned himself a reputation as a benevolent jailer who took great care of his inmates, introducing a raft of improvements to the city prison which won him the respect of those behind bars as well as prison reformers of the time.

Although this was the making of his career, it may also have been the undoing of his health.

A growing lad

In spite of not being a drinker or a big eater, within 11 years of taking up the job, he tipped the scales at a whopping 32st, with his office job blamed for his huge weight gain.

Philip French, curator of Newarke Houses where many of Daniel's possessions still reside, says it is believed he may also have had a medical condition that caused him to put on weight.

By the time he hit his late 30s he had swelled to nearly 53st, could no longer climb the stairs and special arrangements had to be made when he travelled.

In 1806 the Stamford Mercury reported that Daniel was having a carriage made specifically to transport him to London where he intended to exhibit himself as a natural curiosity.

He ended his days living in his London apartments where people would pay a shilling just to come and see him.

The legend

When he finally died at the age of 39, the measurement around his calf was 3ft 1in and his waist was a massive 9ft and 4in.

He died at an inn in Stamford and his body had to taken out of the building by removing a wall.

His coffin was built on wheels and it took more than 20 men to lower it into his grave.

During his life he had become quite a personality, and was used in a cartoon as an emblem for a hearty Britain against the threat of Napoleon.

Historians from Leicester have even reported that a waxwork of Daniel was doing the rounds in American museums not long after his death - such was his popularity.

It seems that the interest around Daniel is still strong, with a number of people visiting the Newarke Houses just to learn more about the larger than life character.

The museum has on display many of his possessions including a selection of made-to-measure clothes and a large chair.