As I'm sure you have noticed, I love the history of Quebec strongmen, in particular Louis Cyr. As discussed, Cyr represented more than strength; he stood as a symbol of French Canadian opportunity in the face of an history of oppression. Little wonder Cyr's funeral in 1912 is still alluded to in Quebec press. The … Continue reading The Fall of a Giant – The Crowning of a Newcomer
While researching the regular strongman and bodybuilding articles (as we history PhD people do on the daily) I stumbled across this newspaper clipping that was featured in the National Police Gazette in 1893 asking “Is Eugen Sandow Afraid?” In this post I would like to address not only this specific clipping, but also the use … Continue reading A Challenge to Sandow; Strongmen in the Press.
Who? Quebec strongman Louis Cyr; he's only one of the most prominent sporting figure of Quebec equal to Maurice 'the Rocket' Richard. (Full Bio of Cyr posted in the near future.) Louis Cyr is known for feats of strength including his 500 pound one finger lift, his over 270 pound bent press, and that time … Continue reading Louis Cyr’s Backlift
