Description: Photographed from a print lent by Mr. F Carnell. 'For the last half of his life, William Frederick Wallett (c 1812 - 1892) lived in Beeston where he eventually died in 1892; by the time he settled here, he had established himself as a master of the theatrical stage and circus ring, in many roles but most notably and triumphantly as a clown. He travelled widely throughout the world - in particular, to the United States where is reputation became particularly well established - and delighted crowded audiences by the originality of his wit and humour. When eventually he settled here, Beeston was happy to welcome him as a true star of his age and to bask in the reflected glory of the undoubted reputation of its adopted son. His undoubted talents as a performer were accompanied by a well-tuned talent for self-publicity. No opportunity was missed and when, on the 19th July 1844, he found himself appearing at Windsor Castle in front of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort with the great Duke of Wellington in attendance, as part of the Van Amburgh company, he was received kindly by them and afterwards styled himself 'The Queen's Jester' - of course, with no official royal authority. This was the masterstroke that made him a household name throughout the Midlands and the North in particular, fascinated audiences throughout the world and ensured that his place in the history of popular entertainment has not been forgotten.' Taken from http://www.beeston-notts.co.uk/wallett.shtml, see site for further information on Wallett.