Paul Boyton

Paul Boyton (often misspelled Boynton; 29 June 1848 – 18 April 1924), known as the Fearless Frogman, was a showman and adventurer some credit as having spurred worldwide interest in water sports as a hobby, particularly open-water swimming. Boyton is best known for his water stunts that captivated the world, including crossing the English Channel in a novel rubber suit that functioned similarly to a kayak. As the founder of Sea Lion Park in 1895, Boyton is also known as the originator of the first modern amusement park—a permanent, fenced-in enclosure charging admission at the gate.

Early life and education

Paul Boyton was born on 29 June 1848 in Dublin, Ireland, to Terrance and Marie Boyton, and grew up in Pennsylvania. Boyton learned to swim at a young age in Pittsburgh, and used his skills to save his friends from drowning. He attended Saint Francis University, Loretto, Pennsylvania. He served as a sailor for the Union in the American Civil War, fought against Maximilian I of Mexico during the fall of his empire, and fought with the French franc-tireurs during the Franco-Prussian War. Boyton then became head of the New Jersey Life-Saving Service, where he reduced the number of drownings per year from twenty to none. Later in his life, he referred to himself as "Captain Boyton", but there is no evidence that he ever was one.

Boyton was very arrogant. One time, a man he saved from drowning gave him a fifty cent note. However, he handed forty-nine cents back and said "I could not think of taking a cent more than your life is worth".