John 'Smoaker' Miles facts for kids
John 'Smoaker' Miles was a famous "bather" from a town called Brighthelmstone. This town is now known as Brighton, in England. During the Georgian era in Britain, it became very popular for people to go sea bathing. A "bather" was a man who helped gentlemen go into the sea safely. Women had "dippers" to help them.
John 'Smoaker' Miles was born in Brighthelmstone in 1728. His parents were George and Sarah Miles. He became very well-known because he was the personal bather for the Prince of Wales. He even taught the Prince how to swim and became his friend. This Prince of Wales later became George IV, a King of Britain.
John 'Smoaker' Miles: Brighton's Famous Bather
King George IV asked a painter named John Russell to paint a picture of John Miles. This painting is now kept in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. A copy of the portrait can also be seen in the Kings Apartments at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.
What Was a Bather?
A bather like John Miles helped gentlemen go swimming in the sea. Women were helped by "dippers." They used special wooden carts called bathing machines. These carts had covers and were pushed into the sea. This gave people privacy from others on the beach. The bather or dipper made sure the person was safe while in the water.
There was a popular song about bathers and dippers from that time:
There's plenty of dippers and jokers,
And salt water rigs for your fun;
The king of them all is old Smoaker,
The queen of 'em old Martha Gunn.
John Miles passed away in 1797. After his death, he was remembered in a play. The play was called Phantoms or Apparitions of the Dead or Absent by M. Moritz. John Miles's sister-in-law, Martha Gunn, who was a famous Brighton dipper, was also in the play.
John Miles is buried in St Nicholas' Church, Brighton.
