William Walker | |
Walker at the age of 104 in 1926 | |
Birth: | 8 January 1822 East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England, UK |
Death: | 28 February 1929 Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK |
Age: | 107 years, 51 days |
Country: | ![]() |
Centenarian |
William Walker (8 January 1822 – 28 February 1929) was a British centenarian who was the oldest known living person in the United Kingdom at the time of his death. He was also the UK’s oldest man ever recorded until his age was surpassed by Thomas Pope in 1942.
Biography
William Walker was born on 8 January 1822 in East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England, and was baptised the following day. His father worked as a blacksmith. Walker worked as a bricklayer until he was 84 years old, and helped to build the first Midland railway station in Nottingham. He had enjoyed eating pork and bacon, and also had an interest in cricket.
Walker's eyesight began to fail when he was about 103. In 1926, he received telegrams congratulating him on reaching his 104th birthday by both the Mayor and Sheriff of Nottingham. Walker died on 28 February 1929 at the age of 107 years, 51 days.
Longevity Records
On 20 January 1927, twelve days after turning 105, Walker became the oldest living person in the United Kingdom after the death of 106-year-old Frances Smith. He also became the last surviving British person born in 1822. His successor as the UK’s oldest person was Ann Russell (1823–1931). It is currently unknown when he became the oldest man in the country.
On 15 June 1928, Walker became the oldest British man ever recorded after surpassing the previous record of 106 years, 188 days held by Frederick Stabbins. Walker held this record until his final age was surpassed by Thomas Pope on 15 March 1942.
References
- Early centenarians Oldest in Britain
- Oldest person since 1925 Oldest in Britain
- 104 TO-DAY Nottingham Post, 8 January 1926
- 1929:Oldest Man's Pork Secret : IN OUR PAGES:100, 75 AND 50 YEARS AGO International Herald Tribune, 1 March 2004