The biography of the comic actor Thomas Doggett and the famous Coat and Badge Race which he founded for watermen on the River Thames.Contents:Part I. The ManBy Theodore Andrea CookChapter I The Fame of Actors3Chapter II Bartholomew Fair10Chapter III Drury Lane21Chapter IV Pugnacious Thomas31Chapter V River Traffic and London Theatres36Chapter VI Off the Stage48Chapter VII Doggett's Bequest60Part II. The RaceBy Guy NickallsChapter VIIIThames Watermen71Chapter IX Some Famous Watermen, 1700-180081Chapter X History of Doggett's Race86Chapter XI List of Winners98Chapter XII Some Famous Winners109Chapter XIII Accounts of the Best Races116Chapter XIV Other Thames Wagers 167AppendicesAppendix I Epitome of The Country Wake171Appendix II Notice of the Race Published in 1901174Appendix III The Competitors for 1906176Appendix IV Gravesend Watermen177