Clement Pearson Simpson
Encyclopedia
Clement Pearson Simpson OBE
(13 June 1868 – 19 September 1948) was an English
rugby union
forward who was a member of the British Isles XV
that toured South Africa in 1891
.
in London. He was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire
, before gaining entry to Trinity College, Cambridge
in 1887. He received his Bachelor of Arts
in 1891, and in 1896 was admitted as a solicitor. He practiced in London from 1900.
; and earned a single sporting 'Blue' as part of the Cambridge team in The Varsity Match
of 1890. The same year he completed his university education, Simpson was invited, along with several other Cambridge players, to join Bill Maclagan
's British Isles team on a tour of South Africa
. Simpson played ten matches over the tour, but was only selected for one Test match. Simpson's one and only international cap was the First Test against South Africa, which was played at Port Elizabeth, the tourists winning 4-0.
On his return from South Africa, Simpson joined Richmond Rugby Club
, and in 1893 was selected to play for invitational touring team, the Barbarians
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(13 June 1868 – 19 September 1948) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
forward who was a member of the British Isles XV
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
that toured South Africa in 1891
1891 British Lions tour to South Africa
The 1891 British Isles tour to South Africa was the first British Isles rugby union tour of South Africa and only the second overseas tour conducted by a joint British team. Between 9 July and 7 September, the team played 20 games, including three tests against the South Africa national rugby union...
.
Personal history
Simpson was born in 1868 to John Simpson of Claverton Street, PimlicoPimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
in London. He was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
, before gaining entry 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...
in 1887. He received his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1891, and in 1896 was admitted as a solicitor. He practiced in London from 1900.
Rugby career
Simpson first came to note as a rugby player when he was chosen to represent Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.
The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
; and earned a single sporting 'Blue' as part of the Cambridge team in The Varsity Match
The Varsity Match
The Varsity Match is an annual rugby union fixture played between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England. By tradition, the match is held on the second Tuesday of December. In 2005, however, this changed, and the match was on Tuesday 6 December. In 2007, it was held on a Thursday for...
of 1890. The same year he completed his university education, Simpson was invited, along with several other Cambridge players, to join Bill Maclagan
Bill Maclagan
William Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....
's British Isles team on a tour of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Simpson played ten matches over the tour, but was only selected for one Test match. Simpson's one and only international cap was the First Test against South Africa, which was played at Port Elizabeth, the tourists winning 4-0.
On his return from South Africa, Simpson joined Richmond Rugby 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 in 1893 was selected to play for invitational touring team, the Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
.