Meyer, Henry

Deaf Burke

Description

James ‘Deaf’ Burke, orphaned as a child, was befriended by Joe Parish, a veteran fighter and owner of ‘The Spotted Dog’ public house. Joe taught the youngster to box and set him on a successful career. In the four years from 1828 Burke had 14 wins and one defeat, a long lasting contest against Bill Cousens in 1829. Burke beat Simon Byrne in May 1833 to become champion after the reigning champion Jem Ward had announced his retirement. The brutal contest, the longest prize-fight on record, resulted in Byrne’s death. Burke was tried by acquitted of manslaughter.


Artist Meyer, Henry
Title Deaf Burke
Medium Aquatint by C. Hunt
Dimensions 51 x 62 cm
Category Aquatint
Reference 2005.022

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