Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, edited by James
Grant Wilson, John Fiske and Stanley L. Klos. Six volumes, New York: D. Appleton
and Company, 1887-1889 and 1999. Virtualology.com warns that these 19th Century
biographies contain errors and bias. We rely on volunteers to edit the historic
biographies on a continual basis. If you would like to edit this biographyplease
submit a rewritten biography in text form.
If acceptable, the new biography will be published above the 19th Century
Appleton's Cyclopedia Biography citing the volunteer editor
Virtual American Biographies
Over 30,000 personalities
with thousands of 19th Century illustrations, signatures, and exceptional life
stories. Virtualology.com
welcomes editing and additions to the
biographies. To become this site's editor or a contributor
Click Here
or e-mail Virtualology here.
CARLISLE, Richard Risley, athlete, born in Salem, New Jersey, in 1814; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 25 May, 1874. At an early age he became a gymnast in a circus, afterward trained his two sons to perform with him, and the trio, as the "Risley family," became celebrated. In 1845 they went abroad, performed at Drury lane theatre, London, and before the queen. In St. Petersburg he won sixteen prize rifles by his marksmanship, and excelled all his competitors in skating. Returning to London, he wagered that he could beat any one else in the City at shooting, wrestling, jumping, throwing the hammer, and playing billiards; and he made good his boast on the following day in everything except billiard-playing, in which he was defeated. Piqued at this, he took with him to London the best American billiard-player, wagered $30,000 on his success, and lost. He then bought a country-seat near Chester, Pennsylvania, but was afterward unsuccessful in his ventures, and finally died in the lunatic department of the Blockley ahnshouse. In 1848 he brought the first troupe of Japanese acrobats to this country, at a cost of $100,000.
Unauthorized Site:
This site and its contents are not affiliated, connected,
associated with or authorized by the individual, family,
friends, or trademarked entities utilizing any part or
the subject's entire name. Any official or affiliated
sites that are related to this subject will be hyper
linked below upon submission
and Evisum, Inc. review.
Please join us in our mission to incorporate The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America discovery-based curriculum into the classroom of every primary and secondary school in the United States of America by July 2, 2026, the nation’s 250th birthday. , the United States of America: We The
People. Click Here
