Sport in Great Britain has been developing since ancient times, thanks to many athletes, officials, and scientists. Today, we’re going to talk about an English entrepreneur who was one of the initiators of the Olympic movement in Great Britain: John Hulley. He also encouraged the public to take up physical education, founded the National Olympian Association, and organised a series of gymnastics competitions in Liverpool and Manchester, among other things. Read more about the life and work of this Liverpool native on iliverpool.info.
Early life
John Hulley was born in Liverpool in 1832. From a young age, the Liverpudlian was interested in physical exercise, education, and fitness. He trained under the renowned French gymnast Louis Huguet.
In 1850, John enrolled at the Liverpool Collegiate Institution. He became his teacher’s successor and won the hearts of all the city’s gymnasts.
In 1858, our fellow countryman, along with Charles Pierre Melly, founded the Liverpool Athletic Club in the Rotunda Gymnasium.
In 1861, John gave his first public speech on the importance of physical education. This took place at the Royal Theatre in Williamson Square, Liverpool.
Events organised by John Hulley
Throughout his life, Hulley organised many sporting events and festivals.
In June 1862, he organised the first Great Olympian Festival. A year later, the second Olympic Festival was held in Liverpool. And in 1864, the third one took place. All of them were successful, and Hulley played an active part in all of them.
In July 1864, construction began in Liverpool on a new Liverpool Gymnasium, with Hulley’s support. It was officially opened in 1865.
For his merits and hard work, John Hulley was awarded the Wenlock Olympian Society’s silver medal.
The fourth Olympic Festival was also organised by Hulley in 1865. However, this was the first time the event was held outside Liverpool, in Llandudno. The festival was a success, and a year later, the fifth sports festival was organised in the same town.
During the event, John revised his views on men’s and women’s bathing suits. He spoke to the public, noting that swimwear should be comfortable and convenient and that they should follow the example of people on the continent.
Hulley continued to organise sporting events and competitions, and in July 1866, the first British National Olympian Games were held.
In June 1867, the sixth Olympic Festival was held in Liverpool, as was traditional. A year later, our fellow countryman became a patron of the Mercantile Assistants’ sporting festival.
Liverpool’s “Bicycling Club”
John Hulley is known not only for organising sporting events. He also initiated the creation of a “Bicycling Club” in our city.
In 1869, the bicycle arrived in England. The enterprising Hulley immediately saw the health benefits of this new contraption. He bought a bicycle in Paris and organised the “Bicycling Club” at the Liverpool Gymnasium. Soon after, several bicycle races were held in the city.
Personal life
In July 1869, Hulley married Georgiana Bolton. But it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. Georgiana was the only daughter of Mr. Robert Levin Bolton, a Liverpool merchant. She was also the granddaughter of a former Mayor of Liverpool. Naturally, her father wanted a better match for his only daughter. So, to prevent the marriage, the girl was locked in her room. However, love prevailed, and with the help of friends, the couple were able to get married. The event caused a sensation in the press and great public interest.
John Hulley died in 1875 at the age of 42. It’s worth noting that for several years before his death, Hulley was a very popular figure in Liverpool, but only a dozen people attended his funeral.
In 2008, his grave was rededicated after it had been damaged. During this period, a Memorial Fund was set up to raise money for the restoration of John Hulley’s grave. Thanks to donations from the International Olympic Committee, the British Olympic Association, and members of the public, enough funds were raised to hire a stonemason.
A rededication ceremony took place a year later.
In 2019, Princess Anne unveiled a statue of Hulley at Coburg Wharf, near the River Mersey.
John Hulley’s work is highly regarded in the city of Liverpool. Hulley made a great contribution to the development of physical education in the region. He was a highly enthusiastic gymnastics teacher, and an organiser of Olympic festivals and sporting events. He also played a key role in the creation of the Liverpool Gymnasium.
That’s the success story of a man who helped develop physical education in Liverpool. We hope you found our article insightful and learned more about your home city and a famous person who strove to make Liverpool a sporting city.
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