JOHN

See also:

• JOHN SANGER (1816–1889)

SANGER (1816–1889)  , English circus proprietor, was born at Chew Magna, Somerset, in 1816, the son of an old sailor who had turned showman . In 1845 he started with his brother George a conjuring exhibition at Birmingham . The venture was successful, and the brothers, who had been interested spectators of the equestrian performances at Astley's Amphitheatre, London, then started touring the country with a circus entertainment consisting of a horse and pony and three or four human performers . This enterprise was a success from the beginning, and in due course John and George Sanger became lessees of the Agricultural Hall, London, and there produced a large number of elaborate spectacles . In 1871 the Sangers leased Astley's where they gave an equestrian pantomime every winter, touring in the summer with a large circus . Subsequently the partnership was dissolved, each brother producing his own show . John Sanger died while touring, at Ipswich on the 22nd of August 1889, the business being continued by his son .