Daniel Lambert, an English giant, born in Leicester, March 13, 1769, died in Stamford, June 21, 1809. Neither his parents, brother, nor sisters were of unusual size, but an uncle and an aunt were remarkable for corpulence. In his youth he excelled in strength, and was fond of field sports and other athletic exercises, but gave no indications that he was to attain excessive bulk till his 19th year. He soon after succeeded his father as keeper of the prison in Leicester, and his rapid increase in size from that time he attributed to his confinement and sedentary life. In 1793, when he weighed 448 lbs., he walked from Woolwich to London with less fatigue than several other men in his party, He was noted as a swimmer, and could float with two men of ordinary size on his back. Being incommoded by the curiosity of numerous visitors from the adjacent country, He decided in 1806 to exhibit himself in London. His apartments in Piccadilly became almost a place of fashionable resort, and his visitors were received with politeness, and treated him in the most respectful manner. He remained five months in the metropolis, and afterward exhibited himself in the principal towns of England. He was 5 ft. 11 in. high, and at his death he weighed 739 lbs.

He measured 9 ft. 4 in. round the body, and 3 ft. 1 in. round the leg. He never drank any beverage but water, slept regularly less than eight hours a day, was healthy, active, and vivacious through life, and took part in all the sports of the field till within a few years of his death.