John L Sullivan mb-artistname John Prince carrying a basket on her

carrying a basket on her head

showing Church Street in the foreground

Carte-de-visite full length studio portrait of Michael Faraday

North-west view of the Church of St John at Hackney

Whilst his coronation had been complete with pomp and celebration

John L Sullivan mb-artistname John Prince carrying a basket on herJohn L Sullivan, American boxer, c1898. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1858, John L Sullivan (1858 1918) is regarded as the first world heavyweight champion. He held the title from 1881 until 1892, when he lost it to James 'Gentleman Jim' Corbett. Sullivan was the first American sportsman to become a national celebrity and the first to earn over $1 million.