Frederick I Pitman
Encyclopedia
Frederick Islay Pitman (18 April 1863 – 22 January 1942) was a British rower
who rowed in the Boat Race three times and won the Diamond Challenge Sculls
and the Wingfield Sculls in 1886.
, the third son of Frederick Pitman of 11 Great Stuart Street, and was one of eight brothers. His father was a Writer to the Signet and a director of the Union Bank of Scotland. He was educated at Eton
and was in the crew that won the Ladies' Challenge Plate
at Henley Royal Regatta
in 1882. He then went to Trinity College, Cambridge
where he rowed for Third Trinity
. He stroked Cambridge University
in the Boat Race over three years. In 1884 Cambridge won the Boat Race, and in the same year Pitman won the Colquhoun Sculls and was in the winning crew in the Visitors' Challenge Cup
at Henley. Cambridge lost the Boat Race in 1885 and in the same year Pitman challenged in the Diamond Challenge Sculls and the Wingfield Sculls but was beaten in both by the holder W. S. Unwin
. Pitman was Cambridge University Boat Club president in 1886 and his crew achieved a rare feat of winning the Boat Race after being behind at Barnes Bridge. In 1886, he also won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley and the Wingfield Sculls.
In 1888 Pitman became a Writer to the Signet but later became a stockbroker, eventually with the firm of Rowe and Pitman of Austin Friars. In 1896 Pitman was elected to the Henley Royal Regatta
management committee, filling the vacancy caused by the death of J. H. D. Goldie
. Pitman umpired at the regatta from 1896 onwards. Pitman also umpired every Boat Race between 1903 and 1926: a total of 19 altogether.
In 1903 Pitman umpired his first University Boat Race, and was to start the race with an ancient pistol, which had worked perfectly for the previous umpire Colonel F. Willan
. He pronounced the "Are you ready?", at which stage both crews squared their blades, and raised the pistol, but it stuck at half-cock and refused to fire. The boatman holding Cambridge could not hold them with squared blades in the fast tide and they slipped out of his hands while Oxford were being firmly held awaiting the pistol shot. Pitman was too concerned with getting the pistol to fire to notice that Cambridge had already drifted off and by the time that the pistol fired and both crews now actually rowed, Cambridge were already about one third of a length away and set off from there. The Cambridge crew were upset by the mistake and certainly did not row at their normal standard, but the effect of the error was disastrous for Oxford who never recovered.
In 1919, Pitman became Chairman of the Henley Royal Regatta management committee in place of the recently elected W. A. L. Fletcher
, who had died from influenza. He held the role until 1944 and unlike his predecessors, had no desire to get involved directly in the running of the regatta, describing his position as "Chairman of the board with the particular function of finding the finance if Tom Steward over-reached himself".
Pitman died at Twyford
, Berkshire
at the age of 78.
Pitman married Helen Isabel Jamieson, daughter of James Auldjo Jamieson. Their son Frederick
rowed for Oxford
and was an Olympic rower. Two of Pitman's brothers also raced in the University Boat Race: R. O. Pitman ("Rosie") rowed for Oxford in 1898 and 1899, and Charles Murray Pitman ("Cherry") became Oxford University Boat Club president and won four boat races from 1892 to 1895.
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
who rowed in the Boat Race three times and won the Diamond Challenge Sculls
Diamond Challenge Sculls
The Diamond Challenge Sculls is a rowing event for men's single sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England...
and the Wingfield Sculls in 1886.
Biography
Pitman was born at EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, the third son of Frederick Pitman of 11 Great Stuart Street, and was one of eight brothers. His father was a Writer to the Signet and a director of the Union Bank of Scotland. He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and was in the crew that won the Ladies' Challenge Plate
Ladies' Challenge Plate
The Ladies' Challenge Plate is one of the events at Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. Crews of men's eight-oared boats below the standard of the Grand Challenge Cup can enter, although international standard heavyweight crews are not permitted to row in the...
at Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
in 1882. He then went to 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...
where he rowed for Third Trinity
First and Third Trinity Boat Club
The First and Third Trinity Boat Club is the rowing club of Trinity College in Cambridge, England. The club formally came into existence in 1946 when the First Trinity Boat Club and the Third Trinity Boat Club merged, although the 2 clubs had been rowing together for several years before that date...
. He stroked Cambridge University
Cambridge University Boat Club
The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...
in the Boat Race over three years. In 1884 Cambridge won the Boat Race, and in the same year Pitman won the Colquhoun Sculls and was in the winning crew in the Visitors' Challenge Cup
Visitors' Challenge Cup
The Visitors Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs and has similar qualifying rules to the Ladies' Challenge Plate. Two or more clubs may...
at Henley. Cambridge lost the Boat Race in 1885 and in the same year Pitman challenged in the Diamond Challenge Sculls and the Wingfield Sculls but was beaten in both by the holder W. S. Unwin
William Sully Unwin
William Sully Unwin was an English clergyman and amateur rower. He won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta and the Wingfield Sculls in 1884 and 1885, and rowed for Oxford in the Boat Race in 1885 and 1886....
. Pitman was Cambridge University Boat Club president in 1886 and his crew achieved a rare feat of winning the Boat Race after being behind at Barnes Bridge. In 1886, he also won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley and the Wingfield Sculls.
In 1888 Pitman became a Writer to the Signet but later became a stockbroker, eventually with the firm of Rowe and Pitman of Austin Friars. In 1896 Pitman was elected to the Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
management committee, filling the vacancy caused by the death of J. H. D. Goldie
John Goldie
John Haviland Dashwood Goldie was an English rower, and barrister. He was the Cambridge University Boat Club President between 1870 and 1872, won the Colquhoun Sculls in 1870 and captained Leander Club between 1873 and 1876.Goldie was the son of Rev. Charles Dashwood Goldie, vicar of St Ives,...
. Pitman umpired at the regatta from 1896 onwards. Pitman also umpired every Boat Race between 1903 and 1926: a total of 19 altogether.
In 1903 Pitman umpired his first University Boat Race, and was to start the race with an ancient pistol, which had worked perfectly for the previous umpire Colonel F. Willan
Frank Willan (rower)
Frank Willan was an English rower and Militia officer who rowed for Oxford in four winning Boat Race crews and umpired the race between 1889 and 1902...
. He pronounced the "Are you ready?", at which stage both crews squared their blades, and raised the pistol, but it stuck at half-cock and refused to fire. The boatman holding Cambridge could not hold them with squared blades in the fast tide and they slipped out of his hands while Oxford were being firmly held awaiting the pistol shot. Pitman was too concerned with getting the pistol to fire to notice that Cambridge had already drifted off and by the time that the pistol fired and both crews now actually rowed, Cambridge were already about one third of a length away and set off from there. The Cambridge crew were upset by the mistake and certainly did not row at their normal standard, but the effect of the error was disastrous for Oxford who never recovered.
In 1919, Pitman became Chairman of the Henley Royal Regatta management committee in place of the recently elected W. A. L. Fletcher
William Fletcher (rower)
William Alfred Littledale Fletcher was an English rower and coach. Fletcher was born at Allerton, near Liverpool, the eldest son of Alfred Fletcher, a Director of the London and North-Western Railway. He was educated at Cheam School and Eton...
, who had died from influenza. He held the role until 1944 and unlike his predecessors, had no desire to get involved directly in the running of the regatta, describing his position as "Chairman of the board with the particular function of finding the finance if Tom Steward over-reached himself".
Pitman died at Twyford
Twyford
Twyford is the name of more than one place. The place name is Anglo-Saxon and means 'double ford'.-Places:In the United Kingdom:*Twyford, Berkshire*Twyford, Buckinghamshire*Twyford, Derbyshire*Twyford, Dorset*Twyford, Hampshire*Twyford, Herefordshire...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
at the age of 78.
Pitman married Helen Isabel Jamieson, daughter of James Auldjo Jamieson. Their son Frederick
Frederick Pitman
Frederick Archibald Hugo Pitman was a British rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.Pitman was born in Edinburgh, the son of Frederick I Pitman, an eminent rower. He was educated at Eton College where he was a successful half-miler and a member of the college eight. He went on to New...
rowed for Oxford
Oxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
and was an Olympic rower. Two of Pitman's brothers also raced in the University Boat Race: R. O. Pitman ("Rosie") rowed for Oxford in 1898 and 1899, and Charles Murray Pitman ("Cherry") became Oxford University Boat Club president and won four boat races from 1892 to 1895.
Henley Royal Regatta
- 1882 – Ladies Plate (racing as Eton)
- 1884 – Visitors Challenge Cup (racing as Third Trinity, Cambridge)
- 1886 – Diamond Challenge Sculls (racing as Third Trinity, Cambridge)