Charles Samuels (athlete)

Charles Samuels (1863/1864–1912) was an Aboriginal Australian athlete known for being a pedestrianism practitioner and a competitive sprinter. As an Aboriginal Australian, he grew up in a community of Baruŋgam people (Bunyinni people). He was also acquainted with the family of Australian politician Joshua Peter Bell.

In 1887 Samuels raced and won against British celebrity runner Harry Hutchens. In that same year he also raced against athletes Tom Malone and Ted Lazarus. According to a researcher for the State Library of Queensland, it is believed that Samuels once met the Queensland Governor Sir William MacGregor in 1911.

Samuels was regarded as a popular figure in Australian sports despite having a reputation for fighting and alcoholism. However his reputation was ruined following his arrest and commitment to the Callan Park Hospital for the Insane after being diagnosed with "melancholia". He died of tuberculosis in 1912. His death was reported in The Brisbane Courier.

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