Matthew Webb
British swimmer (1848–1883) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Matthew Webb?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
SHOW ALL QUESTIONS
This article is about the Channel-swimmer. For the footballer, see Matthew Webb (footballer).
Captain Matthew Webb (19 January 1848 – 24 July 1883) was an English seaman, swimmer and stuntman. He is the first recorded person to swim the English Channel for sport without the use of artificial aids. In 1875, Webb swam from Dover to Calais in less than 22 hours. This made him a celebrity, and he performed many stunts in public. He died trying to swim the Niagara Gorge below Niagara Falls, a feat declared impossible.
Quick Facts Captain, Born ...
Captain Matthew Webb | |
---|---|
Born | (1848-01-19)19 January 1848 Dawley, Shropshire, England |
Died | 24 July 1883(1883-07-24) (aged 35) Niagara River, Niagara Falls |
Resting place | Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, New York |
Known for | Swimming the English Channel |
Close