John Hulley
Liverpool’s Maverick Who Shaped the Spirit of Olympism
John Hulley was a true maverick — a man who lived boldly, thought differently, and pushed boundaries long before society was ready for him. Some questioned his sanity, others insisted he was “as sane as a lawyer,” but everyone agreed he was unforgettable.
As a gymnast, he understood the power of physical activity to shape a healthy, balanced life, a belief captured on his gravestone with the Latin phrase Mens Sana in Corpore Sano —
“A healthy mind in a healthy body.”
Long before the term existed, Hulley was practising what we now call “The Big Society,” championing community, wellbeing and public participation more than 150 years before the concept was adopted by government.
His thinking helped define the earliest ideas of Olympism, well before the International Olympic Committee was formed.
History shows that his influence on friends Dr Penny Brooks and Ernst Ravenstein helped inspire the young Pierre de Coubertin, ultimately contributing to the creation of the IOC itself.
Hulley died at just 35.
It’s impossible not to wonder what he might have achieved had he lived longer. He was one of those rare individuals whose presence must have filled a room — physically strong, mentally immense, and driven by a vision far ahead of his time.
His early death and the passing of generations have not dimmed the recognition he deserves.
And so began Liverpool Heartbeat’s campaign to honour John Hulley as a true son of our great city. His life teaches one powerful lesson: with clear vision, steely determination and raw passion, extraordinary things can be achieved — regardless of background, education or age.
Strength, Spirit and Pioneering Character
A further demonstration of Liverpool Heartbeat’s commitment to celebrating the legacy of John Hulley was the ambition to see a statue of him erected in a fitting location in Liverpool.
Ben and Robin greet HRH Princess Anne
After several early setbacks, Robin succeeded in securing an agreement with the Canal and River Trust to place the statue on a plinth along the Liverpool waterfront — a site worthy of Hulley’s impact on the city and the world of sport.
With planning permission granted, local sculptor Tom Murphy was commissioned to create a figure that captured Hulley’s strength, spirit and pioneering character. Sponsored entirely by Liverpool Heartbeat, the statue became a powerful symbol of recognition for a man whose ideas helped shape modern Olympism.
On 14 June 2019, exactly ten years after the re‑dedication of Hulley’s grave, the statue was unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal — a moment that brought history full circle and ensured Hulley’s story would stand proudly in the heart of the city he helped inspire.
The first Liverpool Olympic Festival in 1862 ©Wikipedia
In his short but extraordinary life, John Hulley organised six Olympic Festivals — four in Liverpool (1862, 1863, 1864 and 1867) and two in North Wales (1865 and 1866). These events are widely regarded as the forerunners of the modern Olympic Games.
The first Liverpool Olympic Festival took place at Mount Vernon Parade Ground in 1862, drawing crowds of up to 10,000 people who gathered to watch athletes and gymnasts compete across a wide range of disciplines. It was a landmark moment for public sport in the city.
Driven by his passion to encourage everyday people to exercise and live healthier lives, Hulley founded the Liverpool Athletic Club in 1861 alongside cotton merchant Charles Melly. Their partnership continued to shape the city’s sporting culture, and in 1865 they opened a new gymnasium on Myrtle Street — a space designed to make physical activity accessible to all.
Honouring a Legacy
Volunteers Restore John Hulley’s Grave with Heart and Purpose
Liverpool Heartbeat volunteers Nicky and Mike took time out yesterday to lovingly clean John Hulley’s grave in Smithdown Cemetery — a gesture they made as a personal thank‑you to Bren and me for the work we do in the community. Their care and effort have transformed the site; John Hulley’s resting place now stands out like a jewel among the headstones, just as he himself shone brightly during his lifetime.
What makes their act even more meaningful is that both Nicky and Mike are continuing Hulley’s legacy in their own work. Through Nicola’s Ultimate Force Organisation, they are bringing Healthy Lifestyles programmes to young people, echoing the same values of wellbeing, resilience and community spirit that Hulley championed more than a century ago.
A tribute in action — and a legacy carried forward with pride.
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