Charles Samuels (1863/1864–1912) was an Aboriginal Australian athlete known for being a pedestrianism practitioner and a competitive sprinter.[1] As an Aboriginal Australian, he grew up in a community of Baruŋgam people (Bunyinni people). He was also acquainted with the family of Australian politician Joshua Peter Bell.[1]
In 1887 Samuels raced and won against British celebrity runner Harry Hutchens.[2] In that same year he also raced against athletes Tom Malone and Ted Lazarus.[2] According to a researcher for the State Library of Queensland, it is believed that Samuels once met the Queensland Governor Sir William MacGregor in 1911.[2]
Samuels was regarded as a popular figure in Australian sports despite having a reputation for fighting and alcoholism.[1] However his reputation was ruined following his arrest and commitment to the Callan Park Hospital for the Insane after being diagnosed with "melancholia".[1] He died of tuberculosis in 1912.[1] His death was reported in The Brisbane Courier.[3]
^ abcdeBlades, Genevieve; Edwards, Ken, "Charles Samuels (1864–1912)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2024-06-03
