Philip Wirth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
29 June 1864
- Bandsman
- Circus proprietor
- ringmaster
Philip Wirth | |
|---|---|
| Born | Philip Peter Jacob Wirth 29 June 1864 Beechworth, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 29 August 1937 (age 73) Coogee, New South Wales, Australia |
| Resting place | North Road Cemetery |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Wirth's Circus |
| Spouse | Alice Maude Willis |
| Children | 6 |
| Father | John Wirth |
| Family | May Wirth (niece) |
Philip Peter Jacob Wirth (29 June 1864 – 29 August 1937) was an Australian bandsman and circus proprietor who with his brother ran Wirth's Circus, later Wirth Bros. Circus.
Philip Peter Jacob Wirth was born in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, on 29 June 1864.[1]
His father was a Bavarian immigrant, and his mother was English.[2] Johannes "John" Wirth, his father, moved from Germany to Australia in 1855, worked as a traveling musician, and in 1880 started a circus with his sons and daughters.[3] Philip's siblings, John Jr., Harry, George, Marizles, Mina, and Madeline, formed the group.[4]
Career
Philip and his younger brother George began performing in their father's travelling band.[2] All of the young Wirths played at least one instrument, while Philip specialized in the cornet.[5]
At nine, he joined John Ridge's circus in New South Wales, but by thirteen he and his brothers John, Harry, and George had purchased a side show, launching his career as a proprietor.[6]
Amid the Australian banking crisis of 1893, he traveled overseas. During the 1890s, Wirth fled South America amid anti-British demonstrations and later toured South Africa at the height of the Boer War.[6]
Following the deaths of John Jr. in 1894 and Harry in 1896, Philip, with George and Marizles, directed Wirths' Circus. At its peak, it had 40 artists, 110 staff, 10 elephants, 40 horses, 14 cages of wild animals, and eight tents, the largest seating 3,000.[1]
Philip and George Wirth incorporated Wirth Bros Circus Ltd. and from the 1910s managed the circus under the name Wirth Bros Circus.[7] He shared the role of ringmaster with his brother George, importing horses, trainers, and acts from abroad. Philip also trained his niece May Wirth, billed as "the world's greatest bareback rider."[3]
Wirth, having toured Australia and New Zealand, began a world tour in April 1923, sailing for the United States to bring in fresh talent and secure new wild animal acts.[8]
After his brother George's retirement in 1930, Philip Wirth and his extended family continued to operate the circus until 1963.[7] He remained in the role of governing director at Wirth's Circus.[9]
In his older age, Philip Wirth learned the tin whistle and would often play it during circus performances.[7] In 1937, ill health forced the tin whistle virtuoso to abandon the Wirth's Circus tour at Easter.[10]
