Robert Emmet Odlum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Emmet Odlum
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Robert Emmet Odlum
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| Born | August 31, 1851 |
| Died | May 19, 1885 (aged 33) |
| Nationality | American |
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Robert Emmet Odlum (born August 31, 1851 – died May 19, 1885) was an American swimming instructor. He became famous for being the first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge. Sadly, he died during this jump.
Contents
Early Life and Travels
Robert Emmet Odlum was born on August 31, 1851, in Ogdensburg, New York. His parents were Catherine and Richard Odlum. He was named after Robert Emmet, a famous Irish hero. Robert was one of seven children, but only four lived past childhood.
Robert was a very skilled swimmer from a young age. After his father passed away in the mid-1850s, his family traveled a lot. They lived in cities like New Orleans, New York City, Boston, and St. Louis. They even visited Cuba for a short time. The Odlum family eventually settled in Mobile, Alabama in 1865.
A Career in Swimming
In the late 1860s, Odlum worked as a tea merchant and a railroad conductor. Later, he moved to Washington, D.C., around 1878. There, he opened his own swimming school called the Natatorium. People in Washington, D.C., knew him as "Professor" Odlum.
Many important people sent their children to learn swimming from him. These included the children of Presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield. The children of famous figures like James G. Blaine and General William Tecumseh Sherman also learned from him. In 1880, Odlum showed off his amazing swimming skills. He swam the entire course of a big rowing race on the Potomac River.
Odlum made his swimming school even better in 1880-1881. He also added a gym to the Natatorium.
Daring Jumps
Even with his success, Odlum wanted to do more. He often showed his skills as a swimmer and diver for people on boat trips. On July 4, 1881, he made a daring jump. He jumped about 90 feet (27 meters) from a wooden bridge at Occoquan Falls.
In June 1882, Odlum performed with another water adventurer, Paul Boyton. During a boat trip, Odlum jumped 110 feet (33 meters) from a tall ladder on a steamer ship. He landed in the water safely, even though he entered at a slight angle.
Lifeguard and Hero
After his swimming school closed, Odlum worked as a swimming teacher and lifeguard at the Hygeia Hotel. This hotel was located at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. On August 10, 1882, he swam 18 miles (29 kilometers) in Hampton Roads. He swam against the strong tide for part of the journey.
While working at the hotel, Odlum saved several lives. He rescued "Sky" Colfax, the 16-year-old son of former Vice President Schuyler Colfax. He also saved two other swimmers. Odlum was friends with Matthew Webb, a famous swimmer who died trying to swim through the dangerous Whirlpool Rapids below Niagara Falls.
The Brooklyn Bridge Jump
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On May 19, 1885, Robert Odlum made history. He became the first person to jump from the Brooklyn Bridge into the East River. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City.
Odlum had several reasons for this dangerous jump. He wanted to show that people could survive a long fall through the air. He hoped this would encourage people to jump into safety nets from burning buildings. He also wanted to become famous and help his family financially.
On the morning of the jump, Odlum met with friends, including famous boxer Paddy Ryan. The police knew about Odlum's plan. Odlum sent two friends onto the bridge in a cab. One friend pretended to be the jumper to trick the police. A tugboat with spectators and a rescue swimmer waited near the bridge.
Odlum jumped from the Brooklyn Bridge at 5:35 p.m. A strong wind blew, turning him slightly in the air. He hit the water with his feet and right hip first. The rescue swimmer did not act, but Paul Boyton swam to Odlum. Odlum was pulled into a boat. His friends tried to help him.
Odlum briefly woke up and asked, "Is it all over?...Did I make a good jump?" He then started spitting blood. He died at 6:18 p.m., before an ambulance could arrive.
An examination after his death showed that his internal organs were badly hurt. He had broken ribs. The cause of death was determined to be a severe injury from the impact.
Odlum's funeral was held in Washington, D.C. He was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
After the Jump
Robert Odlum's mother, Catherine Odlum, blamed Paul Boyton for her son's death. She believed Boyton had encouraged Robert to make the jump. She later wrote a book about her son's life, published in 1885.
After Odlum's jump, others tried to jump from the Brooklyn Bridge. On July 23, 1886, Steve Brodie claimed to be the first to survive a jump. However, many believed he faked it. The first person confirmed to survive a Brooklyn Bridge jump was Larry Donovan. He jumped the month after Brodie's claim.
Personal Life
Robert Emmet Odlum never married. For most of his adult life, he lived with his mother and sister.
Images for kids
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Robert Emmet Odlum
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Odlum jumps from Brooklyn Bridge to his death
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Odlum's grave at Mount Olivet Cemetery
See also
In Spanish: Robert Emmet Odlum para niños
