University of Leeds - Other History

Other History

The university campus is the final resting place of Pablo Fanque, Britain’s first black circus proprietor and operator of England’s premier circus for 30 years during the Victorian era. Pablo Fanque, born William Darby, and his wife, Susannah Darby were buried in Woodhouse Cemetery, now St. George’s Field, on the campus of the University of Leeds. The monument that Fanque erected in his wife's memory, and a smaller modest monument in his memory still stand. Fanque saw fame again in the 20th century, when John Lennon made mention of him in The Beatles song, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! on the album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. On October 8, 2010, the Leeds University Union, as part of the university’s annual Light Night celebration, unveiled a commemorative blue plaque at Fanque's and Darby’s gravesite.