Thomas William Burgess, English swimmer and water polo player (d. 1950)
Thomas William Burgess (15 June 1872 – 2 July 1950) was the second person to successfully complete a swim of the English Channel after Matthew Webb. He performed the feat on 6 September 1911, on his 16th attempt. British by nationality, Burgess spent most of his life in France, and won a bronze medal with the French water polo team at the 1900 Olympics.In 1926 he coached Gertrude Ederle who became the first woman to swim the English Channel.
1872Jun, 15
Thomas William Burgess
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Events on 1872
- 5Mar
Railway air brake
George Westinghouse patents the air brake. - 22Mar
Gender equality
Illinois becomes the first state to require gender equality in employment. - 22May
Amnesty Act
Reconstruction Era: President Ulysses S. Grant signs the Amnesty Act into law, restoring full civil and political rights to all but about 500 Confederate sympathizers. - 29Nov
Battle of Lost River
American Indian Wars: The Modoc War begins with the Battle of Lost River. - 9Dec
P. B. S. Pinchback
In Louisiana, P. B. S. Pinchback becomes the first African-American governor of a U.S. state.