Astley, PHILIP (1742-1814), theatrical manager, equestrian, and the best horse-tamer of his time, was trained as a cabinetmaker, served in General Elliot's regiment of light horse, and in 1770 started an exhibition of horsemanship in an open field at Lambeth. This was enlarged and improved at different periods, being burnt down in 1794 and 1803. In all, he constructed nineteen amphitheatres for equestrian performances, one of which was in Paris.
Astley, PHILIP
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 1: A to Beaufort, p. 522
Source scan(s): p. 0543