Larry Donovan (bridge jumper)

Donovan's 1886 Brooklyn Bridge jump, as illustrated by his employer, the National Police Gazette.[1]

Lawrence "Larry"[2] M. Donovan, born Lawrence Degnan[3] or possibly Duignan[4] (1862[5] – August 7, 1888[3]) was a newspaper typesetter who became famous for leaping from bridges, first around the northeastern United States, and later in England. Inspired by the first successful Brooklyn Bridge jump by Steve Brodie, Donovan sought fame and fortune by leaping off that bridge, the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, and Bristol's 250 foot Clifton Suspension Bridge. Slightly injured on a couple of occasions and frequently incarcerated following his attempts, he struggled to capitalise on his fame, making money only through bets and brief periods working as an emcee or exhibiting himself in novelty shows. In August 1888, disillusioned and desperately poor, he accepted a spontaneous two-pound wager (equal to £281 today) to jump from London's Hungerford Bridge late at night, but drowned in the attempt.

  1. ^ "Our Champion: Daring Lawrence M. Donovan of the "Police Gazette" makes a real jump from the Brooklyn Bridge and turns up safe and smiling – with portrait" (PDF). National Police Gazette. 1886-09-11. p. 16.
  2. ^ "Larry Donovan Drowned". The Clinton Evening News. 1888-08-09 – via Google News.
  3. ^ a b "Larry Donovan Drowned". The Sun (New York). 1888-08-08 – via Chronicling America.
  4. ^ "Jumped off the bridge: Crank No. 3 performs the feat and he still lives" (PDF). The New York Times. 1886-08-29 – via query.nytimes.com.
  5. ^ "Larry Donovan Killed" (PDF). The New York Times. 1888-08-08 – via query.nytimes.com.