Apollo (William Bankier)

Apollo - The Scottish Hercules

Born William Bankier (10 December 1870 – 4 September 1949) in Banff, Aberdeenshire. He ran away from home at an early age first to try and  join the circus then to sea. He ended up shipwrecked and landing in Montreal made a name for himself at an early age as a strongman in the new world, touring initially as 'Carl Clyndon Canadian Strong boy'. He toured as part of Buffalo Bill's show before travelling back to Ireland and then Great Britain as 'Apollo'.  He was known for harness lifting an elephant and performing somersaults whilst holding weights. He would also challenge all comers, including Sandow to feats of strength, condemning him as a charlatan when he declined.

Ideal Physical Culture by Apollo first published in February 1900 was William Bankier's guide to physical culture. This edition is from Oct 1901. It's interesting in that he challenges some of his contemporaries claims (particularly measurements of individuals such as Sandow) about the nature of Physical culture.