Edward Cross (zoo proprietor)

Edward Cross ( * in London, baptized February 3, 1774; † September 26, 1854 in Kennington ) was a British menagerie owner fairground and zoo director.

Life

Edward Cross was a son of Walter Cross and his wife Jane, nee Callow. He was baptized in the church in Holborn St Andrew's. Little is known about his youth. He married a woman named Mary, with whom he had a daughter. A relationship with the animal dealer William Cross in Liverpool has not been established, but according to some sources also Edward Cross worked as animal dealers in this same city.

Later he was employed by Stephen Polito in the menagerie in Exeter Change on the beach in London and took over this company after Politos death in 1814. The four-story building housed a large number of exotic animals, including a rhinoceros and the elephant Chunee, the Cross 1826 put to death, because he was no longer to restrain. The elimination of the carcass, which had been initially presented to the public until residents complained about the stench was very expensive. Cross could prepare Chunees skeleton and integrated it into his menagerie. A little later he tried his animal collection to the Zoological Society of London for sale. The offer was rejected. Because Exeter Change was demolished in 1829, Cross had to search for his menagerie a new district. During the move to the new location in the vicinity of Trafalgar Square several animals were released.

1831 was Edward Cross 's Menagerie in London. The remaining animals he sold for 3500 pounds, which was founded by himself Surrey Literary, Scientific and Zoological institution. He became director of the newly established zoos of Surrey in Kennington on the grounds of the Walworth Manor House. In the following years, managed to cross back to a number of exotic animals, but renounced the permanent attitude of a new elephant. In 1844 he retired from professional life, ten years later, he died. Edward Cross was buried at West Norwood Cemetery.

The fate of the zoo

The zoo in Surrey came to Cross ' resignation soon in difficulties and was closed in 1856. The site was still used as a theme park with Music Hall, which took 12 000 visitors. The theme park, in which, among other things, General Tom Thumb occurred, was very popular. Among the guests were also members of the royal family. But the Music Hall burned down in 1862. 1877, the Surrey Gardens were permanently closed from the 1950s was built on the site of Pasley Park. Relics of the former zoos were seen in the Cuming Museum, 2009.

Others

The Rhinoceros crossii was named in 1854 by Edward Cross. The specimen, after which the species was determined, came from Cross' stocks and his remains came to the British Museum.

Animals escape during the move

Figure of Chunees skeleton ( with fake tusks ), the cross sales