William Banting

William Banting was one of the foremost undertakers of the 19th century, and was personally responsible for the funerals of both the Duke of Wellington and Prince Albert. He was a short man who suffered increasing personal distress from fatness as he aged. His dieting pamphlet, Letter on Corpulence, was a runaway success, and he donated all proceeds to charity. William Banting died happy and healthy in 1878, aged eighty-one.