Matthew Webb

British swimmer (1848–1883)

Captain Matthew Webb (19 January 1848 – 24 July 1883) was an English seaman, swimmer and stuntman who became the first person to swim the English Channel without the use of artificial aids. Webb increased the popularity of swimming in England at a time when few people knew how to swim. Born in Dawley, Shropshire, Webb developed his swimming skills as a child while playing in the River Severn.

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