2. The Hero in History At issue: ~greatness ~causation Hook: event-making vs eventful Hero archetype & mythology in our culture

3. The Mythology of the Hero _________________________________ Mythical Hero (dep,initiate,ret) Fairy tale hero Athlete hero Everyperson as hero Anti-hero

4. Louis Cyr 1863-1912

5. The Physical Stats Height: 5’9” Weight: 316 lbs Biceps: 24” Neck: 22” Forearms: 19” Chest: 60” Waist: 45” Thighs: 33” Calves: 28”

6. Louis Cyr’s Tavern - Montreal Home base – funding for tours, demonstrations Montreal Gazette, 1885 I hereby challenge any man in the world, bar none, to a heavy weight lifting contest, without harness, for any sum from one hundred dollars to five hundred dollars a side. Yours truly, Louis Cyr

7. Tours – Canada, the US, the UK 1889 – invited to give a demonstration for the Prince of Wales in London Crowd of 5,000 raised a 250 kilo weight with one finger A back lift of 4,100 lbs The horse demo US and UK tours in the 1890s Barnum and Bailey Circus

10. *A flair for the dramatic *Excitement and tension *Audience participation (18 fat men on a piano)

11. The Physical Feats Iron cross with 96lb right hand and 88lbs left hand 35 consecutive right arm presses with 162.8 lbs 552 lbs one finger lift 189 lbs with both arms straight in front of his body 986 lbs with one hand restrained 4 horses for 55 seconds

13. Summary Heroes and Legends are created and sustained for specific reasons: cultural, economic, political Look to broader historical issues and circumstances to find your explanations Louis Cyr: look to the connections between strength, masculinity, and broader Canadian society

14. George W Beers

16. Paris Crew 1867 World champs Inrigged boat used by Paris Crew – note oar locks on gunwhales not outrigged as they are today

17. ~from 1980 17-cent stamp; artistic rendering

18. ?? Who in “The Boy in Blue” (1986) Nicholas Cage

19. Hanlan featured front cover of Cdn Illustrated News 1878

20. Promo for ’78 Lachine races w Courtney

26. Louis Rubenstein