Walter Laburnum

Born in Hendon, Laburnum worked as a beer and wine seller before becoming a professional performer in the 1870s. He became well known as a singer of "coster songs",^[1] and for parodying the style of popular lions comiques, in particular George Leybourne, with songs such as "Fashionable Fred".^[2] Leybourne was known for driving around the capital in a carriage drawn by four white ponies; Laburnum used a cart drawn by four donkeys. Laburnum also sang "Dr. De Jongh's Cod Liver Oil", mocking the use of fashionable new medical remedies.^[3] He was known as "The Star of the East", a reference to the East End of London.^[4]

Also billed as "The Royal Comic", Laburnum toured with his concert party in later years.^[3] He died in London in 1902, aged 54, and was buried at Abney Park Cemetery.^[5]

• Walter Laburnum at National Portrait Gallery

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