Sullivan, John Lawrence, 1858-1918
John Lawrence Sullivan was born on October 15, 1858 in Roxbury, Massachusetts to Irish immigrant parents. Nicknamed the “Boston Strong Boy”, Sullivan began to box professionally in 1878. He was a heavyweight champion whose boxing style was reliant on brute strength, fighting under the London Prize Ring Rules (bare-knuckle boxing). In 1882, Sullivan won one of his most famous fights, beating Irish-born Paddy Ryan for the bareknuckle championship of the world in Mississippi.
By the 1890s, Sullivan was an aging champion with a significant drinking problem. He turned to the stage with a vaudeville act. Sullivan ultimately retired to Abington, Massachusetts. He gave up alcohol and became a temperance advocate, speaking out in favor of Prohibition. Sullivan died on February 2, 1918 in Abington, Massachusetts.
Archival Resources
| Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
|---|---|---|---|
| referencedIn | Edwin A. Merrill letters | Minnesota Historical Society | |
| referencedIn | Charles E.L. Wingate papers, 1821-1919 (bulk 1892-1898) | Houghton Library | |
| referencedIn | Clarence W. Rowley papers relating to Buffalo Bill and John L. Sullivan, 1878-1941, 1910-1920 | Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library | |
| creatorOf | Letter : to John Wilson | Bryn Mawr College | |
| creatorOf | Sullivan-Kilrain Fight Collection | University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus, Joseph Anderson Cook Library | |
| referencedIn | John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett grand glove contest ticket | Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries | |
| referencedIn | Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition records | Oregon Historical Society Research Library | |
| referencedIn | Chase, Charles E. (Charles Edward) Diaries | Central Michigan University. Libraries | |
| referencedIn | Norman Matthews collection | University of Georgia. Libraries | |
| referencedIn | Records, 1894-1933, 1903-1906 | Oregon Historical Society Research Library | |
| referencedIn | Paper on early Stillwater days | Minnesota Historical Society | |
| creatorOf | John Lawrence Sullivan letters, 1890 | L. Tom Perry Special Collections | |
| referencedIn | H.D.D. Twiggs diaries | University of Georgia. Libraries | |
| creatorOf | John Lawrence Sullivan papers | Boston College. John J. Burns Library |
Bibliographic and Digital Archival Resources
| Role | Title | Holding Repository |
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Filters:
| Relation | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| associatedWith | Caplazi, Paul, 1867-1956. | person |
| associatedWith | Chase, Charles E. (Charles Edward) | person |
| associatedWith | Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition (1905 : Portland, Or.) | corporateBody |
| associatedWith | Matthews, Norman, | person |
| associatedWith | Merrill, Edwin A., 1866-1933. | person |
| associatedWith | Rowley, Clarence W. | person |
| associatedWith | Twiggs, Hansford Dade Duncan, 1837-1917. | person |
| associatedWith | Wilson, John. | person |
| associatedWith | Wingate, Charles E. L. (Charles Edgar Lewis), b. 1861 | person |
| Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roxbury | MA | US | |
| Abington | MA | US |
| Subject |
|---|
| Boxers (Sports) |
| Boxing |
| Boxing matches |
| Sports and Recreation |
| Temperance movement |
| Occupation |
|---|
| Boxer |
| Boxers (Sports) |
| Prohibitionists |
| Activity |
|---|
Person
Birth 1858-10-15
Death 1918-02-02
English
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