Arnold Hills
Encyclopedia
Arnold Frank Hills was an English businessman, sportsman, philanthropist, and promoter of vegetarianism.
Hills was the first President of the London Vegetarian Society (1888) and the Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club, and also served as President of a London Vegetarian Rambling Club. He also founded The Vegetarian, an independent magazine, as well as the Vegetarian Federal Union (1889), of which he was also President. He also had close ties with the Temperance League.
Arnold Hills was also a keen sportsman who was the English mile and three mile champion, and in his youth had played football
and cricket (he was Captain of the 1st XI) for his school team Harrow
. After leaving Harrow he attended University College, Oxford
, where he earned two football blues. He continued to play as an amateur for Old Harrovians after he left, even winning a Corinthian's Cap whilst there; for England
, against Scotland
on 5 April 1879 at the Kennington Oval; England won 5-4.
In addition to his vegetarian activism, Hills was Managing Director of the Thames Iron Works, a large shipbuilding
business in London which had existed since 1846. He chose to live for five years among his workers in a small house in the East India Dock Road in Canning Town
and organised recreational centres for them.
However, he caused some bitterness when there was a strike over poor pay and working conditions by employing 'black' labour. Considering his philanthropy, it must have been a situation that troubled him greatly.
In the summer of 1895 Hills, along with Dave Taylor
, helped found Thames Ironworks F.C.
, who later became West Ham United
. He believed that his own local community should have its own football team and financially supported the football club until April 1900, when after increasing disagreements with West Ham's board members over the pursuit of 'professionalism', he broke ties with the club.
Hills was the first President of the London Vegetarian Society (1888) and the Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club, and also served as President of a London Vegetarian Rambling Club. He also founded The Vegetarian, an independent magazine, as well as the Vegetarian Federal Union (1889), of which he was also President. He also had close ties with the Temperance League.
Arnold Hills was also a keen sportsman who was the English mile and three mile champion, and in his youth had played football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
and cricket (he was Captain of the 1st XI) for his school team Harrow
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
. After leaving Harrow he attended University College, Oxford
University College, Oxford
.University College , is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2009 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £110m...
, where he earned two football blues. He continued to play as an amateur for Old Harrovians after he left, even winning a Corinthian's Cap whilst there; for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on 5 April 1879 at the Kennington Oval; England won 5-4.
In addition to his vegetarian activism, Hills was Managing Director of the Thames Iron Works, a large shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
business in London which had existed since 1846. He chose to live for five years among his workers in a small house in the East India Dock Road in Canning Town
Canning Town
Canning Town is an area of east London, England. It is part of the London Borough of Newham and is situated in the area of the former London docks on the north side of the River Thames. It is the location of Rathbone Market...
and organised recreational centres for them.
However, he caused some bitterness when there was a strike over poor pay and working conditions by employing 'black' labour. Considering his philanthropy, it must have been a situation that troubled him greatly.
In the summer of 1895 Hills, along with Dave Taylor
Dave Taylor (Thames Ironworks F.C. founder)
Dave Taylor was one of the co-founders of Thames Ironworks F.C., the team that became West Ham United F.C., in 1895.He was a foreman at the Thames Iron Works as well as being a local football referee....
, helped found Thames Ironworks F.C.
Thames Ironworks F.C.
Thames Ironworks Football Club, the club that later became West Ham United, was founded by Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd owner Arnold Hills and foreman Dave Taylor in 1895. Thames Ironworks took over the tenancy of The Old Castle Swifts' Hermit Road ground in Canning Town until their...
, who later became West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. He believed that his own local community should have its own football team and financially supported the football club until April 1900, when after increasing disagreements with West Ham's board members over the pursuit of 'professionalism', he broke ties with the club.
External links
- Arnold Hills — information from the International Vegetarian Union
- Arnold Hills — biography on the Oxford University Association Football Club web site
- Port of London History — information about the Thames Ironworks company