It’s a record that changes frequently, but is an honour nonetheless when it’s bestowed on someone. The Guinness World Record for the oldest man has found a new home -111 year old John Alfred Tinniswood of the United Kingdom. He claimed the new world record after the passing of 114 year old Juan Vincente Perez of Venezuela.

Tinniswood is 111 years, 223 days old and calls a retirement village in Southport, UK home. The retired accountant for Shell and BP was born in August of 1912, just a few months after the sinking of the Titanic. 1912 also saw Roald Amundsen and his team reach the South Pole, the continental drift theory by Alfred Wegener was presented for the first time, Arizona became the 48th US state, Cy Young retired from baseball, Harriet Quimby became the first female to fly across the English Channel, and the legendary Fenway Park opened in Boston.

Tinniswood has lived through two world wars, the great depression, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the creation of television, computers, and smartphones, and saw five monarchs in his time (King George V, King Edward VIII, King George IV, Queen Elizabeth II, and King Charles III).

What’s the key to longevity according to Tinniswood? Moderation. He says he seldom drinks, never smoked, doesn’t really follow a specific diet, and loves eating fish and chips once a week. He reminds people that doing too much of anything will eventually catch up with you and you may suffer as a result. Enjoy things in moderation. Here’s probably the most important thing he does everyday – he says he still listens to the radio to catch the news!

While Tinniswood is the oldest man in the world, he’s not the oldest person overall. Maria Branyas Morera of Spain is the oldest person on Earth at the age of 117 years. The oldest person to have ever lived was Jeanne Calment of France who passed away in 1997 at the age of 122.

Photo by Guinness World Records