Isaac A. Van Amburgh

right|Isaac Van Amburgh Biographical Sketch, ca. 1860

Isaac A. Van Amburgh (1811–1865) was an American animal trainer who developed the first trained wild animal act in modern times. By introducing jungle acts into the circus, Van Amburgh paved the way for combining menageries with circuses. After that, menageries began using equestrian and clown performances in circus rings. Gradually the distinction between circus and menagerie faded.

Starting as a cage-cleaner in the Zoological Institute of New York, Van Amburgh quickly gained notoriety for his acts of daring, for example placing his bare arm, and even his head, inside the jaws of a wild cat. Also known for his domineering attitude toward his animals, he earned the title "The Lion King."

Early life and beginning of career Isaac A. Van Amburgh (a name adopted by his American Indian grandfather) was born on May 26, 1808, in Fishkill, New York. Legend dictates that while reading the Bible, young Isaac came upon the tale of Daniel in the lion's den, and, from then on, was determined to be a lion tamer. Van Amburgh never showed the same interests in material objects or even games as the other children. Rather, he spent his time surrounded by roaches, mice, and rats, feeding them pieces of his dinner to attract and even train them. He soon became a sort of animal authority to call when the local wildlife disrupted neighborhood homes and farms. Van Amburgh would investigate reports of destroyed or stolen crops and livestock and seek out the animal responsible. Upon finding the offender, he would beat the creature into submission, effectively preventing it from causing additional problems.

Despite its name, the Zoological Institute was not a zoo at all, but rather a tiny traveling menagerie.

Although he started out as a "cage boy," Isaac showed an aptitude for training the wild animals whose cages he cleaned. From the Richmond Hill Theatre, New York, Van Amburgh astonished the country. In the words of his biographer, "The effect of his power was instantaneous. The Lion halted and stood transfixed. The Tiger crouched. The Panther with a suppressed growl of rage sprang back, while the Leopard receded gradually from its master. The spectators were overwhelmed with wonder .... Then came the most effective tableaux of all. Van Amburgh with his strong will bade them come to him while he reclined in the back of the cage – the proud King of animal creation."

Van Amburgh did more than just enter the cage. Nathaniel Hawthorne described a menagerie he saw on September 4, 1828, near North Adams, Massachusetts: "A man put his arm and head into the lion's mouth, – all the spectators looking on so attentively that a breath could not be heard. That was impressive, – its effect on a thousand persons, – more than the thing itself." As Van Amburgh was one of the few performers of the time to perform this way, it was probably Van Amburgh that Hawthorne saw. In fact, Van Amburgh is usually credited with being the first man ever to put his head into the mouth of a lion.

Even after the 1868 fire that killed Van Amburgh's animals and destroyed other circus artifacts, the potent name of Van Amburgh continued to be used by circuses until 1922.

Elephant Hill Road in Connersville, IN is named for the elephant Tippo Sahib who died and was buried on that hill. Tippo Sahib was part of the Van Amburgh circus.

London and Queen Victoria

In the late 1830s, Van Amburgh took his act to England and Europe for several years. He made his debut in London at Astley's on August 27, 1838, and his said to have made £300 per week there.

While in England, Van Amburgh performed for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1844. The former took special interest in him. In fact, the Queen commissioned artist Edwin Landseer to paint a portrait of Van Amburgh and his cats. She even remained after one evening's performance in order to watch his feeding the cats. But predecessors of Van Amburgh were less inhumane. Despite his great success and popularity, Van Amburgh regularly faced criticism for the cruelty he showed to his animals.

Van Amburgh is the man, who goes to all the shows

He goes into the lion's cage, and tells you all he knows;

He sticks his head in the lion's mouth, and keeps it there a-while,

And when he pulls it out again, he greets you with a smile.

chorus:

The elephant now moves round, the music begins to play.

Them boys around the monkey's cage had better keep away