Warning – Professor Tommy Burns

Don’t try this at home …

Attempting to emulate the activities of Tommy Burns and others mentioned on this website may result in injury – or worse – so please:

do not dive from bridges or buildings
do not swim with alligators
do not attempt to ride the rapids at Niagara Falls in a barrel

On Saturday 19th October 1889, police were out in force in Lime Street, Liverpool, to control well-wishers who turned out to welcome Tommy at the end of a self-imposed challenge which the Liverpool Echo referred to as ‘Burns’s Great Feat’.

Read the wonderful story of Tommy's joint attempt to set a long-distance swimming record in the Mersey. The account titled A Long Swim was published by Thomas William Sheffield, former captain of Birkenhead Swimming Club and a world authority on swimming.

As one of the elected representatives for Kensington which covers Farnworth Street where Tommy Burns was from, I am delighted to congratulate Les Powell for his tremendous hard work in researching the life and achievements of this great man. Tommy had a fascinating career which we should all be very proud of, but I am just as proud of Les for taking the time and trouble to document his life. Well done! - Councillor Louise Baldock, Labour – Kensington and Fairfield ward.

.. new information and old photos to add to Tommy's story. If you can help, please use this link to send an instant message.