Editing Toastmaster (section)

==History==
James Toole, father of actor [[John Lawrence Toole]] was possibly the first professional toastmaster during the 1840s in London.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mallalieu|first=Huon|date=18 May 2016|title=Raise a Toast|journal=Country Life|pages=126–127|id={{ProQuest|1791987622}}}}</ref> There are allusions to him in the press of the day. His obituary noted his "stentorian voice, and the ability with which he kept very large companies in order".<ref>{{Cite journal|date=1847|title=Obituary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e2odAQAAMAAJ&q=james+Toole+toastmaster&pg=PA327|journal=The Gentleman's Magazine|volume=181|pages=327–328|access-date=4 June 2018|via=Google books}}</ref>

William Kingsmith was the first to wear the red coat now associated with the London Society of Toastmasters, as he wanted to be distinguished from waitstaff and footmen. He was the public announcer at the 1908 London Olympic games,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-17688625|title=Stylish start for the 1908 Games|last=Mower|first=Jane|date=27 April 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=4 June 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> and presided over court functions at St. James's Palace, ceremonies at the House of Commons and Royal Albert Hall.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16840785|title=Famous Toastmaster Dead|date=15 February 1932|work=Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842–1954)|access-date=4 June 2018|page=10}}</ref>

A widely known person associated with this role was [[George Jessel (actor)|George Jessel]], known in his lifetime as "Toastmaster General of the United States" (parodying the title [[Postmaster General of the United States]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/25/obituaries/george-jessel-comedian-and-toastmaster-dies-at-83.html|title=George Jessel, Comedian and Toastmaster, dies at 83|date=25 May 1981|work=The New York Times|access-date=4 June 2018|language=en}}</ref>