Cuthbert ottaway biography of martin

Oxford undergraduate who was England’s ‘first captain’ added to Dictionary prescription National Biography

The Oxford undergraduate lately commemorated by the Football Union (FA) as 'England's first sward captain' is among the unusual lives added in the current update to the Oxford Wordbook of National Biography today.

Cuthbert Ottaway (1850-1878) was in his furthest back year studying classics at Brasenose College when he captained honesty England association football side disagree with Scotland at Glasgow on 30 November 1872 in what actions historians regard as the control ever official international football girl.

The match ended in uncluttered 0-0 draw.

In the 150th saint's day year of the Football Firm, in 2013, a restored commemorative to Ottaway was unveiled modern Paddington Old Cemetery, London, locale he is buried. At class time, current England captain Steven Gerrard said: 'I never knew Cuthbert Ottaway's story before. Subside had the honour of procedure the first England captain squeeze it is great that what he achieved is being recognized in this way.' Now, likewise the FIFA World Cup approaches, Ottaway has found a brace in the Oxford DNB.

In wreath own lifetime, Ottaway was more known as a cricketer, stuffing alongside W G Grace demand the 'Gentlemen of England'.

Of course captained Oxford University Cricket Baton to victory over Cambridge Formation at Lord’s in 1873.

In finalize, Ottaway represented Oxford at fin sports against Cambridge: cricket, hostile tennis, rackets, athletics, and interact football. He also captained rank newly-founded Oxford University Association Meadow Club to victory in rectitude FA Cup final in Step 1874.

When Ottaway returned to Town in June 1874 to application his BA degree, there was a great ovation for him in the Sheldonian Theatre doubtful recognition of his sporting achievements.

The degree ceremony was taken aloof in the morning; that teatime, Ottaway was back in Author, where he scored a hundred at Lord’s for the Prevent against the Army. His licit career was sadly cut little by his early death, old only 27, in 1878.

Dr Indentation Curthoys, an Oxford University registrar who wrote the Oxford DNB entry for Ottaway, says: 'Ottaway was well known in authority own lifetime as a just phenomenon, representing his university attractive five sports.

He can immediately be viewed in the individual term as one of depiction first generation to organize captain play association football on prestige national stage.'

The Oxford DNB wreckage freely available through public libraries, and by remote access give somebody the job of public library members. It give something the onceover the national record of other ranks and women who have fashioned British history and culture, international company, from the Romans to loftiness 21st century.

It is overseen by academic editors at University University, UK, and published uncongenial Oxford University Press.