The Celebrated Captain Barclay: Sport, Gambling and Adventure in Regency Times

(, New edition)

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On 1 June 1809 Captain Robert Barclay set off on what was then the greatest sporting feat ever attempted - to walk one thousand miles in one thousand hours for one thousand guineas. Six weeks later, exhausted and on the verge of collapse, he completed his challenge and instantly became the most famous sporting figure of Regency times. Gentleman, pugilist, athlete, trainer and soldier, Captain Barclay's life was reckless, extravagant and thrilling. Enormous sums of money were won and lost as people gambled on his latest challenge and he himself earned several fortunes, though he was to die in poverty. His remarkable story opens a window on to the world of sport at that time - a rough, dangerous and often corrupt world driven by money.

Author Bio

Peter Radford is one of Britain's leading sports historians and is Professor of Sport Sciences at Brunel University. In 1960 he was a double medallist at the Olympics in Rome. His British record for the 100 metres remained unbeaten for 20 years.