Here is answer to our question: Do you know George Wombwell?
“Yes, I am familiar with George Wombwell. He was an English menagerie owner and showman who lived from 1777 to 1850. He is particularly famous for his traveling menagerie, which he took around the country exhibiting exotic animals such as elephants, lions, tigers, and bears. His menagerie became one of the most famous in the world and he is considered one of the pioneers of modern zoos. He was also known for his philanthropy, and was a supporter of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.”
Nothing about dog fights in that answer. So what was response when the question was : Did George arrange lion fights?
“There is no evidence to suggest that George Wombwell arranged dog fights. In fact, Wombwell was known for his love of animals and was opposed to any kind of cruelty towards them. He was a proponent of treating animals with kindness and respect, and he took great care to ensure that the animals in his menagerie were well looked after. Wombwell’s legacy is that of a pioneering showman who helped to popularize the idea of exhibiting exotic animals to the public, and of a philanthropist who cared deeply about the welfare of animals.”
Maybe we cannot trust a chatbot, but clearly the underlying data suggest otherwise! It’s nice to know that consensus agrees with this websites persuasive , but well researched arguments.
Well I have another clue to her identity which appeared on the front of a B&W Menagerie Programme from the late 18th century (exact date unknown). It also contained the Bostocks (E.H. and Mrs Bostock) and an early impression of George Wombwell. There’s no reasons to believe these are not the right photographs as they are printed on the B&W programme. I have to say my impresion of Mrs Wombwell (Ann Wombwell/Ann Morgan) is that she appears quite fierce, a bit like her lions I suppose. Is there any chance this Mrs Wombwell is the same person as in the last blog entry? Only you can decide that outcome.
