Charles Rivett-Carnac (sailor)
Encyclopedia
Charles James Rivett-Carnac (February 18, 1853 Brahmapur, Orissa, British India – September 9, 1935 Jersey, Channel Islands) was a British
sailor
who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
.
He was the owner of the British boat Heroine, which won the gold medal in the 7 metre class. However, since it was the only entry in this class, this feat is somewhat less impressive. More importantly, his second wife Frances Rivett-Carnac
was one of the four-member crew and won Olympic gold with him. The Rivett-Carnacs thus became the first husband-and-wife team to share Olympic gold. Their granddaughter Cleone Rivett-Carnac
was an athlete in New Zealand.
Rivett-Carnac remains the oldest Briton, at 55, to have won an Olympic gold medal for yachting.
and grandson of Sir James Rivett-Carnac, sometime governor of Bombay Presidency
in British India.
Rivett-Carnac was the eldest son of Charles Forbes Rivett-Carnac (1824-1902), fourth but third son son of the first baronet. He was twice married, firstly in 1877 to Laura Marion Margaret Ogilvie (d. 19 June 1905), daughter of Colonel J.S. Ogilvie. They had one son Vernon Charles. He then married 5 July 1906 Frances Clytie Greenstock, daughter of Rev. Canon William Greenstock. They had issue four sons. His wife participated in his gold-medal run for the 7 metre class in sailing in the 1908 Summer Olympics
.
Rivett-Carnac was schooled at Rugby
. He then returned to India to join the Civil Service and married in 1877 the daughter of an Indian Army colonel. He left the ICS in 1897 and was appointed Accountant General to Burma. The following year, his services were placed at the disposal of the King of Siam by the British Government and for seven years he was the Financial Advisor to the Siamese Government. On his return to England in 1905, he continued to serve Siam as their Financial Agent in Europe. It is not known when he retired from that position.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
.
He was the owner of the British boat Heroine, which won the gold medal in the 7 metre class. However, since it was the only entry in this class, this feat is somewhat less impressive. More importantly, his second wife Frances Rivett-Carnac
Frances Rivett-Carnac
Frances Clytie Rivett-Carnac née Greenstock was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.She was a crew member of the British boat Heroine, which won the gold medal in the 7 metre class....
was one of the four-member crew and won Olympic gold with him. The Rivett-Carnacs thus became the first husband-and-wife team to share Olympic gold. Their granddaughter Cleone Rivett-Carnac
Cleone Rivett-Carnac
Cleone Rivett-Carnac is a former New Zealand Javelin thrower.At the 1950 British Empire Games she won the bronze medal in the women's javelin throw....
was an athlete in New Zealand.
Rivett-Carnac remains the oldest Briton, at 55, to have won an Olympic gold medal for yachting.
Family
He was a member of the Rivett-Carnac familyRivett-Carnac Baronets
The Rivett-Carnac Baronetcy, of Derby, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 12 March 1836 for James Rivett-Carnac, Chairman of the East India Company, Member of Parliament for Sandwich and Governor of Bombay. His father James Rivett had assumed by Royal warrant the...
and grandson of Sir James Rivett-Carnac, sometime governor of Bombay Presidency
Bombay Presidency
The Bombay Presidency was a province of British India. It was established in the 17th century as a trading post for the English East India Company, but later grew to encompass much of western and central India, as well as parts of post-partition Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula.At its greatest...
in British India.
Rivett-Carnac was the eldest son of Charles Forbes Rivett-Carnac (1824-1902), fourth but third son son of the first baronet. He was twice married, firstly in 1877 to Laura Marion Margaret Ogilvie (d. 19 June 1905), daughter of Colonel J.S. Ogilvie. They had one son Vernon Charles. He then married 5 July 1906 Frances Clytie Greenstock, daughter of Rev. Canon William Greenstock. They had issue four sons. His wife participated in his gold-medal run for the 7 metre class in sailing in the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
.
Rivett-Carnac was schooled at Rugby
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
. He then returned to India to join the Civil Service and married in 1877 the daughter of an Indian Army colonel. He left the ICS in 1897 and was appointed Accountant General to Burma. The following year, his services were placed at the disposal of the King of Siam by the British Government and for seven years he was the Financial Advisor to the Siamese Government. On his return to England in 1905, he continued to serve Siam as their Financial Agent in Europe. It is not known when he retired from that position.
External links
- profile
- Genealogy and family details. This site provides his family history and his second wife's details.
- another profile which mentions his family's prominence in British India. This profile provides much of his career information.