George H. Sutton (1870–1938)[2] known as the "handless billiard player",[3] was a carom billiards professional in the United States and Europe[4] in the early 1900s. He was called a "billiard expert" and he competed with other notable billiard professionals such as Willie Hoppe.[5] Sutton had no arms below the elbows, which made his ability to master the game even more remarkable.
A Canadian by birth, George Sutton lost both of his arms below the elbows in a sawmill accident at the age of eight.[6] He studied medicine, and graduated from Wisconsin State College (now the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee).[2] Sutton became a professional billiards player, competing for 35 years.
Sutton married Franziska Alvina (Frances) Renk (b. 1873). They had three surviving children; Bessie Cordelia (b. 1894), Lee George Jr. (1896–1965), and Earl Patrick (1898–1935). Sutton died of a heart attack in Toledo, Ohio, at the age of 68. He toured up until the final year of his life. During this US tour, Sutton gave lectures and appeared in exhibitions as an employee of a Chicago billiard company.[7]
Professional careerEdit
Sutton learned to play billiards while he was in college, and he set world record in balkline competitions.[2] In 1908, he went to Paris for eight months, where he was contracted to play in billiards matches with other Americans at the Café Olympia.[4] Sutton used no artificial devices, holding the cue between his two elbows and providing propulsion from the strong and flexible muscles in the stumps of his severed arms.[3] A film clip from the turn of the 20th century is known to exist showing Sutton as he demonstrates his abilities.[8]
ReferencesEdit
^(PDF). Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ abc. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
^New York Times, 'Handless' Sutton, Billiard Player, 68; Despite Handicap, Had Opposed Many Leading Professionals, 16 May 1938
^"Handless Sutton - biljarten zonder handen video". www.youtube.com. 29 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to George H. Sutton.
Articles about Sutton's billiard matches:
The Pittsburgh Press, April 12, 1908
The New York Times Archives, January 27, 1909
The New York Times Archives, February 4, 1914
Google News, October 17, 1903
Modern Billiards, p. 312
The New York Times, October 29, 1903
Other sources of information:
The new illustrated encyclopedia of Billiards, p.120
Popular Science Monthly Vol. 92, p.868
Picture of Billiard Hall with audience:
Image envision
August 31, 2023
george, sutton, 1870, 1938, known, handless, billiard, player, carom, billiards, professional, united, states, europe, early, 1900s, called, billiard, expert, competed, with, other, notable, billiard, professionals, such, willie, hoppe, sutton, arms, below, el. George H Sutton 1870 1938 2 known as the handless billiard player 3 was a carom billiards professional in the United States and Europe 4 in the early 1900s He was called a billiard expert and he competed with other notable billiard professionals such as Willie Hoppe 5 Sutton had no arms below the elbows which made his ability to master the game even more remarkable George H SuttonGeorge H Sutton c 1923Born1870Died15 May 1938 1 Toledo OhioAlma materWisconsin State CollegeOccupationProfessional billiard player Contents 1 Personal life 2 Professional career 3 References 4 External linksPersonal life EditA Canadian by birth George Sutton lost both of his arms below the elbows in a sawmill accident at the age of eight 6 He studied medicine and graduated from Wisconsin State College now the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 2 Sutton became a professional billiards player competing for 35 years Sutton married Franziska Alvina Frances Renk b 1873 They had three surviving children Bessie Cordelia b 1894 Lee George Jr 1896 1965 and Earl Patrick 1898 1935 Sutton died of a heart attack in Toledo Ohio at the age of 68 He toured up until the final year of his life During this US tour Sutton gave lectures and appeared in exhibitions as an employee of a Chicago billiard company 7 Professional career EditSutton learned to play billiards while he was in college and he set world record in balkline competitions 2 In 1908 he went to Paris for eight months where he was contracted to play in billiards matches with other Americans at the Cafe Olympia 4 Sutton used no artificial devices holding the cue between his two elbows and providing propulsion from the strong and flexible muscles in the stumps of his severed arms 3 A film clip from the turn of the 20th century is known to exist showing Sutton as he demonstrates his abilities 8 References Edit George Sutton handless cue star is dead Chicago Tribunes 15 May 1938 PDF Archived from the original on 3 September 2017 Retrieved 2017 09 03 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link a b c Tacoma Public Library Image Archives Archived from the original on 2016 03 06 Retrieved 2011 08 16 a b The New York Times March 17 1903 a b The New York Times October 29 1903 The Pittsburgh Press April 12 1908 The Game of Pool Fun Facts New York Times Handless Sutton Billiard Player 68 Despite Handicap Had Opposed Many Leading Professionals 16 May 1938 Handless Sutton biljarten zonder handen video www youtube com 29 June 2015 Archived from the original on 2021 12 15 Retrieved 11 July 2016 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to George H Sutton Articles about Sutton s billiard matches The Pittsburgh Press April 12 1908 The New York Times Archives January 27 1909 The New York Times Archives February 4 1914 Google News October 17 1903 Modern Billiards p 312 The New York Times October 29 1903Other sources of information The new illustrated encyclopedia of Billiards p 120 Popular Science Monthly Vol 92 p 868Picture of Billiard Hall with audience Image envision Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George H Sutton amp oldid 1144727163, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
