James Figg (d. 8 December 1734)

Timeline

• 1684

  Birth of James Figg

  James Figg  is born in Thame, Oxfordshire.

• ca. 1714

  Moves to London

  Figg begins his career in the "Noble Science of Defence" in London as a scholar of Master Timothy Buck of Clare Market.

• ca. 1721

  Establishes his House

  Figg as victualler establishes his House at the Sign of the City of Oxford.

• summer 1724

  Builds Amphitheatre

  Figg builds an Amphitheatre attached to or next to his House. The address given in advertisements is "Figg's new Amphitheatre, joining to his House, the Sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road, Marybone Fields."

• 16 November 1724

  Jack Sheppard visits Figg's House

  Jack Sheppard stops "to take a reconciling Glass" on the way to his execution at Tyburn. Figg gives him "a Pint of Glass of Sack and a Toast."

• fall 1729

  Appointed as Gate Keeper

  The Earl of Essex appoints Figg as Gate-Keeper to the Upper St. James's Park.

• 8 December 1734

  James Figg's death

  Figg dies at his house in Oxford Road on the night of December 8, 1734, of "a Lethargy," according to the Daily Journal (issue 4338, December 9). He is buried at St. Marylebone Churchyard on the 11th.