This is a portrait of Daniel Lambert who was at one point considered to be the heaviest person in human history

This is a portrait of Daniel Lambert who was at one point considered to be the heaviest person in human history

This is a portrait of Daniel Lambert who was at one point considered to be the heaviest person in human history. At the age of 18, Lambert began working as a prison guard and was much respected for his ability to befriend and help rehabilitate many of the prisoners.

He once walked 7 miles (11 km) from Woolwich to the City of London "with much less apparent fatigue than several middle-sized men who were of the party". In terms of strength, Lambert was able to easily carry 560 lbs. (254 kg) and had the ability to stand on one leg.

In one particular incident, demonstrating both his agility and strength, Lambert knocked out a bear that was trying to attack his dog. In 1805, Lambert decided to put himself on exhibition and charge people a shilling to visit him in his home at 53 Piccadilly. He worked 5 hours a day, talking to nearly 400 daily visitors on a variety of topics concerning dogs, sports, and animal husbandry.

Lamber also enacted a rule that everyone who entered his home needed to remove their hats. When one visitor reportedly refused to remove his hat “even if the King were present”, Lambert gently replied, "Then by G——, Sir, you must instantly quit this room, as I do not consider it a mark of respect due to myself, but to the ladies and gentlemen who honor me with their company." Lambert suddenly passed away in 1809 at the age of 39. His coffin was so large that it needed to be pulled by 20 men.