Edward Temple Gurdon
Encyclopedia
Edward Temple Gurdon, often known as Temple Gurdon, was a rugby union international who represented England
from 1878 to 1886. He also captained his country.
, Norfolk. He was the son of the Reverend Edward Gurdon of Bear's Farm, Hingham, Attleborough, Norfolk and older brother of Charles Gurdon
, also a rugby international and captain of England, and Francis
, who became Bishop of Hull
. He attended Haileybury School
and in 1873 entered Trinity College, Cambridge
from whom he received his BA in 1878 (and his MA in 1888). His two younger brothers, Charles and Francis
also studied at Cambridge. He then worked in Public Record Office
from 1877 to 1879 and became a solicitor, having finished his articles in November 1883. He was a member of the firm Frere, Cholmely and Co.
Gurdon made his international debut on Mar 4, 1878 at The Oval
in the England
vs Scotland
match. He first captained England in 1880 and he played his final match for England on Mar 13, 1886 at Edinburgh
in the Scotland
vs England
match, in which he was also the national captain. In parallel, he played his rugby for Richmond Football Club
, and captained them in two seasons (1879–80 and 1887-8).
After his playing career was over his involvement in the game continued and he acted as President of the Rugby Football Union for two terms (1890-1 and 1891-2).
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
from 1878 to 1886. He also captained his country.
Early life
Temple Gurdon was born on January 25, 1854 in Barnham BroomBarnham Broom
Barnham Broom is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is situated on the River Yare, 9 miles West of Norwich. and 4 miles North-West of Wymondham....
, Norfolk. He was the son of the Reverend Edward Gurdon of Bear's Farm, Hingham, Attleborough, Norfolk and older brother of Charles Gurdon
Charles Gurdon
Charles Gurdon was an English rower and rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and Richmond. Gurdon represented England fourteen times during the early development of international rugby union, once as captain...
, also a rugby international and captain of England, and Francis
Francis Gurdon
Francis Gurdon was an Anglican bishop, the third Bishop of Hull in the modern era, from 1913 until 1929.-Life:Francis Gurdon was born on 11 April 1861, the third son of Rev. Edward Gurdon...
, who became Bishop of Hull
Bishop of Hull
The Bishop of Hull is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of York, England. The suffragan bishop, along with the Bishop of Selby and the Bishop of Whitby, assists the Archbishop of York in overseeing the diocese....
. He attended Haileybury School
Haileybury and Imperial Service College
Haileybury and Imperial Service College, , is a prestigious British independent school founded in 1862. The school is located at Hertford Heath, near Hertford, from central London, on of parkland occupied until 1858 by the East India College...
and in 1873 entered Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
from whom he received his BA in 1878 (and his MA in 1888). His two younger brothers, Charles and Francis
Francis Gurdon
Francis Gurdon was an Anglican bishop, the third Bishop of Hull in the modern era, from 1913 until 1929.-Life:Francis Gurdon was born on 11 April 1861, the third son of Rev. Edward Gurdon...
also studied at Cambridge. He then worked in Public Record Office
Public Record Office
The Public Record Office of the United Kingdom is one of the three organisations that make up the National Archives...
from 1877 to 1879 and became a solicitor, having finished his articles in November 1883. He was a member of the firm Frere, Cholmely and Co.
Rugby union career
Gurdon played rugby football at his school, Haileybury, and was awarded a rugby ‘blue,’ in three consecutive years at Cambridge (in 1874, 1875, and 1876) where he was also captain for two seasons (1875-6 and 1876-7).Gurdon made his international debut on Mar 4, 1878 at The Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
in the England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
vs Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
match. He first captained England in 1880 and he played his final match for England on Mar 13, 1886 at Edinburgh
Raeburn Place
Raeburn Place is the main street of Stockbridge, Edinburgh, and the name of the playing fields there.-Rugby:The first international rugby football game was played on the playing fields at Raeburn Place on 27 March 1871 between England and Scotland. It was won by Scotland, though England got revenge...
in the Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
vs England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
match, in which he was also the national captain. In parallel, he played his rugby for Richmond Football Club
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
, and captained them in two seasons (1879–80 and 1887-8).
After his playing career was over his involvement in the game continued and he acted as President of the Rugby Football Union for two terms (1890-1 and 1891-2).