| LC control no. | n 88202685 |
|---|---|
| Descriptive conventions | rda |
| Personal name heading | Gebel-Williams, Gunther, 1934-2001 |
| Variant(s) | Gebel, Gunther, 1934-2001 Williams, Gunther Gebel-, 1934-2001 |
| Biography/History note | Gunther Gebel-Williams was born in Schweidnitz Germany (now called Swidnica, Poland) in 1934 as Gunther Gebel. He is considered one of the greatest animal trainers of the 20th century. He apprenticed with Harry Williams, owner of Circus Williams in Germany. Gunther was adopted by Mr. Williams, and worked for Circus Williams from 1947 until 1968, when he was brought to the United States by Irving Feld, owner of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was known for various stunts involving wild animals, including riding two lions atop an elephant. After nearly retiring from performance in 1990, he published an autobiography in 1991 called, Untamed. He passed away from cancer in Venice, FL, in 2001. |
| Birth date | 1934-09-12 |
| Death date | 2001-07-19 |
| Place of birth | Schweidnitz (Germany) |
| Place of death | Venice (Fla.) |
| Field of activity | Circus Animal training Animals |
| Profession or occupation | Circus performers Animal trainers |
| Found in | Rosenkranz, S. Lord of the rings, c1988: t.p. (Gunther Gebel-Williams) p. 13 (b. 1934; in 1952 Gunther Gebel changed name to Gunther Gebel-Williams when he became co-manager of Circus Williams) Wash. post, July 20, 2001: p. B6 (Gunther Gebel-Williams; d. July 19, 2001, Venice, Fla.) The Telegraph 21 July 2001 website, viewed online April 5, 2018: Gunther Gebel-Williams (Gunther Gebel-Williams, who has died in Florida aged 66, was acknowledged to be the world's finest trainers of wild animals, and one of the 20th century's greatest stars of the circus...born in Schweidnitz Germany (now called Swidnica, Poland) on September 12, 1934 as Gunther Gebel...one of the greatest animal trainers of the 20th century...apprenticed with Harry Williams...he is known for various stunts involving wild animals...) <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1334718/Gunther-Gebel-Williams.html> The New York Times July 20, 2001 website, viewed April 5, 2018: Gunther Gebel-Williams, Circus Animal Trainer, Dies at 66 (Gebel-Williams, who for many years was the unrivaled star of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus...after nearly retiring from performance in 1990...died yesterday in his home in Venice, FL...) <https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/20/arts/gunther-gebel-williams-circus-animal-trainer-dies-at-66.html> |
| Associated language | eng ger |
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