James Nuttall
Encyclopedia
James Nuttall was a professional British runner, who broke several records, and is regarded as “one of the best sprinters and quarter milers in England in the 1860s”. During his thirteen-year career, Nuttall ran 440 yards in 51.5 seconds, and ran the half-mile in a world’s best time of 1:55.5.
Born in Reddish
, Stockport, Nuttall was the maternal grandson of mill-owner Issachar Thorp, who was heir to the Thorp dynasty of apothecaries
and calico printing factories in Manchester.
Described as “compact, agile and powerful of limb”, Nuttall easily won races ranging from 600 yards to half a mile. In 1859, Nuttall became the first Briton to run a quarter mile in fifty-one seconds. In Manchester
in 1864, he ran 600 yards in 1:13, setting a world record, and defeating the favourite Siah Albison
.
On August 19, 1865, Nuttall was among ‘the great milers of the 1860s’ who were gathered at Manchester’s Royal Oak Grounds to compete for the title of Champion Miler of the World, as well as the Mile Championship Cup. Nuttall led the first two laps in sixty seconds, then hit the half-mile mark in an unprecedented 2:05.5. The crowd cheered him on, but Nuttall’s pace was unsustainable. The race was eventually won by William Lang
. Nuttall failed to finish the race, which suggests that he was only ever supposed to act as a pacemaker.
In 1867, at Manchester’s Copenhagen Grounds, Nuttall beat Scottish
runner Robert McInstray’s existing half-mile world record, beating John Fleet with 1:55.5. This record stood for four years, until Irishman Frank Hewitt beat it by less than a second.
Nuttall and his first wife, Elizabeth Brookfield, were married at Manchester Cathedral
on August 11, 1866. When his running career ended, Nuttall and his second wife moved to Ainsworth Street in Gorton
(next door to Belle Vue Zoological Gardens), where he became a clogger
. Nuttall’s son Stephen later became a prominent trade union
leader in North West England
.
Born in Reddish
Reddish
Reddish is an area of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, in Greater Manchester, England. It is north of Stockport and southeast of Manchester...
, Stockport, Nuttall was the maternal grandson of mill-owner Issachar Thorp, who was heir to the Thorp dynasty of apothecaries
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
and calico printing factories in Manchester.
Described as “compact, agile and powerful of limb”, Nuttall easily won races ranging from 600 yards to half a mile. In 1859, Nuttall became the first Briton to run a quarter mile in fifty-one seconds. In Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in 1864, he ran 600 yards in 1:13, setting a world record, and defeating the favourite Siah Albison
Siah Albison
Siah Albison was a professional British runner who set a world record in the mile in the 1860s.A weaver from Bow Lee near Manchester, Albison earned the mile championship belt of England in 1859...
.
On August 19, 1865, Nuttall was among ‘the great milers of the 1860s’ who were gathered at Manchester’s Royal Oak Grounds to compete for the title of Champion Miler of the World, as well as the Mile Championship Cup. Nuttall led the first two laps in sixty seconds, then hit the half-mile mark in an unprecedented 2:05.5. The crowd cheered him on, but Nuttall’s pace was unsustainable. The race was eventually won by William Lang
William Lang (athlete)
William Lang was a professional British runner, who set world records in numerous running events in the 1860s, including a mile record which stood for 16 years....
. Nuttall failed to finish the race, which suggests that he was only ever supposed to act as a pacemaker.
In 1867, at Manchester’s Copenhagen Grounds, Nuttall beat Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
runner Robert McInstray’s existing half-mile world record, beating John Fleet with 1:55.5. This record stood for four years, until Irishman Frank Hewitt beat it by less than a second.
Nuttall and his first wife, Elizabeth Brookfield, were married at Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral is a medieval church on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the seat of the Bishop of Manchester. The cathedral's official name is The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester...
on August 11, 1866. When his running career ended, Nuttall and his second wife moved to Ainsworth Street in Gorton
Gorton
Gorton is an area of the city of Manchester, in North West England. It is located to the southeast of Manchester city centre. Neighbouring areas include Longsight and Levenshulme....
(next door to Belle Vue Zoological Gardens), where he became a clogger
Clog (shoe)
A clog is a type of footwear made in part or completely from wood.The Oxford English Dictionary defines a clog as a "thick piece of wood", and later as a "wooden soled overshoe" and a "shoe with a thick wooden sole"....
. Nuttall’s son Stephen later became a prominent trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
leader in North West England
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
.