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Sullivan, John Lawrence, 1858-1918

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1858 - 1918

Biographical Note

John Lawrence Sullivan was born to Irish immigrants Michael Sullivan and Catherine Kelly on October 15, 1858, in Boston's South End. He began boxing in 1878 and was known as the "Boston Strong Boy." From 1882 to 1892, he was the American heavyweight champion. His most famous bout was the last bare-knuckle heavyweight championship with Jake Kilrain in Mississippi in 1889, which Sullivan won in seventy-five rounds. After losing a bout to James J. Corbett in 1892, Sullivan turned to the stage with a vaudeville act in which he read monologues and sometimes staged sparring exhibitions. He also owned a series of bars and a hotel in Boston. He retired from the stage in 1911 and moved to Abington, Massachusetts, where he died on February 2, 1918.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

John Lawrence Sullivan papers

 Collection
Abstract

This collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, ephemera, photographs, and artifacts owned by or relating to John Lawrence Sullivan (1858-1918), the first American heavyweight champion boxer.

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research. Access to the oversized framed photograph of Sullivan is restricted due to preservation concerns.

Dates: 1887-1938, undated; Majority of material found in 1908 - 1908