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Henry Taylor (swimmer)
Encyclopedia
Henry Taylor (17 March 1885 – 28 February 1951) was a British freestyle swimmer
who competed in the 1906 Summer Olympics
, in the 1908 Summer Olympics
, in the 1912 Summer Olympics
, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics
. He served in the Royal Navy
during the First World War, and continued to swim competitively until 1926. Taylor's fortunes went downhill after he retired and he died penniless. His record of three gold medals at one Olympic Games – the most by any Briton – stood for 100 years until it was equalled by cyclist Chris Hoy
in 2008. Along with Mel Sheppard
of United States
, he was the most successful athlete at the 1908 Olympics.
, in Lancashire
, on 17 March 1885 to James, a coal miner
, and Elizabeth Taylor. Both of Henry's parents died when he was young and he was raised by his older brother, Bill. Taylor learned to swim in the Hollinwood Canal, and practised in Alexandra Park
's boating lake. At the age of 7 Taylor swam in his first race.
Bill became his coach and Henry also trained in the Oldham Baths and, from 1894, in the Chadderton
Baths. During this time he continued to train in the canal also, and when he got a job at a cotton mill, he would spend his lunch times swimming in the canal. At 5' 5
. Although he was not expected to win any medals he won a gold medal in the one mile freestyle, as well as a silver in the 400 m freestyle and a bronze in the 4×250 m freestyle. Later in 1906, Taylor broke the world record for 880 yards (804.7 m). He was an automatic selection for the 1908 Summer Olympics
.
During the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, Taylor won gold medals in each of the three events in which he took part: the 400 m freestyle, the 4×200 m freestyle, and the 1500 m freestyle. He finished first in all of the races he took part in during the games bar one. After performing well in the heats of the 400 m freestyle, he finished second in the semi-final to Austrian Otto Scheff
, who won the same event in the 1906 Intercalated Games. However, in the final Taylor finished 10 seconds ahead of the Austrian who managed to win the bronze. The British press hailed Taylor as "Britain's Greatest Amateur Swimmer". He was the first man to hold the world record for the 1500 metres freestyle, a feat that he completed on 25 July, 1908 in a time of 22:48.4 in London, United Kingdom. His haul of three was the most gold medals won by any Briton at the Olympics. This feat would not be repeated by any British participant in the Olympic Games for a century, when Chris Hoy won three gold medals in the cycling
events at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing.
Four years later, Taylor was selected to go to Stockholm
for the 1912 Summer Olympics
. In the 4×200 m freestyle relay, he helped his team win bronze. There were no Olympic Games in 1916 due to the ongoing First World War. Taylor had signed up with the Royal Navy in 1914 and kept fit by swimming around the ships when his ship was anchored at Scapa Flow
. He was present at the Battle of Jutland
. A popular story tells that during the course of the battle, the ship he was serving on, HMS St. Vincent
, was sunk and that while the survivors waited for two hours to be rescued, Taylor swam around encouraging his crewmates. However, this story is probably only a popular myth as HMS St Vincent was not sunk at the Battle of Jutland. He was later transferred to HMS Ramillies
where he remained until he was demobilised
.
After the war, Taylor returned to swimming. He took part in the Morecambe Bay
Race, winning eight times over a period of 20 year and at one point held the record. Taylor attempted to emulate Matthew Webb
in swimming across the English Channel
but failed due to bad weather. He annually took on the French Champion, swimming in both the River Thames
and the River Seine and winning on every occasion. Taylor's last appearance in the Olympic Games was at Antwerp, Belgium, in 1920
when he once again helped the 4×200 m freestyle relay team to bronze medal position.
Taylor continued swimming competitively into his 40s until he retired in 1926. During his career he won over 35 trophies and 300 medals. He suffered a setback when the public house
, the Nudger, he owned in Dobcross
was closed down due to financial difficulties. Taylor became an attendant at Chadderton Baths. To raise money, Taylor was forced to sell most of his prizes. He died in obscurity aged 65 on 28 February 1951, in Chadderton
, Lancashire
, he was penniless and unmarried. He was cremated and his remains were scattered at Rochdale
Cemetery.
The trophies Taylor won were collected and displayed at Chadderton Baths temporarily. In 2002, a blue plaque
was unveiled at Chadderton Baths commemorating Taylor's achievements. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Rebecca Adlington
became the first British swimmer to win more than one gold medal at a single Olympic Games since Taylor won three in 1908.
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
who competed in the 1906 Summer Olympics
1906 Summer Olympics
The 1906 Intercalated Games or 1906 Olympic Games were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in Athens, Greece. They were at the time considered to be Olympic Games and were referred to as the "Second International Olympic Games in Athens" by the International Olympic Committee...
, in the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
, in the 1912 Summer Olympics
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
. He served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the First World War, and continued to swim competitively until 1926. Taylor's fortunes went downhill after he retired and he died penniless. His record of three gold medals at one Olympic Games – the most by any Briton – stood for 100 years until it was equalled by cyclist Chris Hoy
Chris Hoy
Sir Christopher Andrew "Chris" Hoy, MBE is a Scottish track cyclist representing Great Britain and Scotland. He is a multiple world champion and Olympic Games gold medal winner...
in 2008. Along with Mel Sheppard
Mel Sheppard
Melvin Whinfield "Peerless Mel" Sheppard was an American athlete, member of the Irish American Athletic Club and winner of four gold medals at the 1908 Summer Olympics and 1912 Summer Olympics...
of United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he was the most successful athlete at the 1908 Olympics.
Early life
Henry Taylor was born in the Hollinwood area of OldhamOldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
, in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, on 17 March 1885 to James, a coal miner
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
, and Elizabeth Taylor. Both of Henry's parents died when he was young and he was raised by his older brother, Bill. Taylor learned to swim in the Hollinwood Canal, and practised in Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park, Oldham
Alexandra Park is a public park in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. It was created in response to the Lancashire Cotton Famine of 1861–1865 as an attempt to keep local textile workers employed. The park is located in the Glodwick area of Oldham....
's boating lake. At the age of 7 Taylor swam in his first race.
Bill became his coach and Henry also trained in the Oldham Baths and, from 1894, in the Chadderton
Chadderton
Chadderton is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England, historically a part of Lancashire...
Baths. During this time he continued to train in the canal also, and when he got a job at a cotton mill, he would spend his lunch times swimming in the canal. At 5' 5
Career
Taylor came to attention after success with Chadderton Swimming Club. He was selected for the 1906 Intercalated Games in AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. Although he was not expected to win any medals he won a gold medal in the one mile freestyle, as well as a silver in the 400 m freestyle and a bronze in the 4×250 m freestyle. Later in 1906, Taylor broke the world record for 880 yards (804.7 m). He was an automatic selection for the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
.
Otto Scheff
Otto Scheff, born Otto Sochaczewsky was an Austrian freestyle swimmer, water polo player, lawyer, politician, and sports official who competed in the 1906 Summer Olympics, in the 1908 Summer Olympics, and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.Scheff was born in Berlin. He won a bronze medal in the 400 metre...
, who won the same event in the 1906 Intercalated Games. However, in the final Taylor finished 10 seconds ahead of the Austrian who managed to win the bronze. The British press hailed Taylor as "Britain's Greatest Amateur Swimmer". He was the first man to hold the world record for the 1500 metres freestyle, a feat that he completed on 25 July, 1908 in a time of 22:48.4 in London, United Kingdom. His haul of three was the most gold medals won by any Briton at the Olympics. This feat would not be repeated by any British participant in the Olympic Games for a century, when Chris Hoy won three gold medals in the cycling
Cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Cycling competitions at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics were held from August 9 to August 23 at the Laoshan Velodrome , Laoshan Mountain Bike Course, Laoshan BMX Field and the Beijing Cycling Road Course...
events at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing.
Four years later, Taylor was selected to go to Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
for the 1912 Summer Olympics
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
. In the 4×200 m freestyle relay, he helped his team win bronze. There were no Olympic Games in 1916 due to the ongoing First World War. Taylor had signed up with the Royal Navy in 1914 and kept fit by swimming around the ships when his ship was anchored at Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow
right|thumb|Scapa Flow viewed from its eastern endScapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. It is about...
. He was present at the Battle of Jutland
Battle of Jutland
The Battle of Jutland was a naval battle between the British Royal Navy's Grand Fleet and the Imperial German Navy's High Seas Fleet during the First World War. The battle was fought on 31 May and 1 June 1916 in the North Sea near Jutland, Denmark. It was the largest naval battle and the only...
. A popular story tells that during the course of the battle, the ship he was serving on, HMS St. Vincent
HMS St. Vincent (1908)
HMS St. Vincent was the lead ship of the St. Vincent class battleships of the British Royal Navy.She was commissioned on 3 May 1910 as 2nd flagship of 1st Division Home Fleet at Portsmouth. She was commanded by Capt. Douglas R. L. Nicholson and was flagship of Rear-Admiral Richard H...
, was sunk and that while the survivors waited for two hours to be rescued, Taylor swam around encouraging his crewmates. However, this story is probably only a popular myth as HMS St Vincent was not sunk at the Battle of Jutland. He was later transferred to HMS Ramillies
HMS Ramillies (07)
HMS Ramillies was a Revenge-class battleship of the Royal Navy, named after the Battle of Ramillies. The ship is notable for having served in both the First and Second World Wars...
where he remained until he was demobilised
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
.
After the war, Taylor returned to swimming. He took part in the Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay is a large bay in northwest England, nearly due east of the Isle of Man and just to the south of the Lake District National Park. It is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom, covering a total area of 310 km².-Natural features:The rivers Leven,...
Race, winning eight times over a period of 20 year and at one point held the record. Taylor attempted to emulate Matthew Webb
Matthew Webb
Captain Matthew Webb was the first recorded person to swim the English Channel without the use of artificial aids. On 25 August 1875 he swam from Dover to Calais in less than 22 hours.-Early life and career:...
in swimming across the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
but failed due to bad weather. He annually took on the French Champion, swimming in both the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
and the River Seine and winning on every occasion. Taylor's last appearance in the Olympic Games was at Antwerp, Belgium, in 1920
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
when he once again helped the 4×200 m freestyle relay team to bronze medal position.
After swimming
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, the Nudger, he owned in Dobcross
Dobcross
Dobcross is a village in Saddleworth—a civil parish of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It is located in a valley in the South Pennines, along the course of the River Tame and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, east-northeast of Oldham and west-southwest of...
was closed down due to financial difficulties. Taylor became an attendant at Chadderton Baths. To raise money, Taylor was forced to sell most of his prizes. He died in obscurity aged 65 on 28 February 1951, in Chadderton
Chadderton
Chadderton is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England, historically a part of Lancashire...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, he was penniless and unmarried. He was cremated and his remains were scattered at Rochdale
Rochdale
Rochdale is a large market town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the foothills of the Pennines on the River Roch, north-northwest of Oldham, and north-northeast of the city of Manchester. Rochdale is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan...
Cemetery.
The trophies Taylor won were collected and displayed at Chadderton Baths temporarily. In 2002, a blue plaque
Blue plaque
A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker....
was unveiled at Chadderton Baths commemorating Taylor's achievements. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Rebecca Adlington
Rebecca Adlington
Rebecca "Becky" Adlington, OBE, is an English and British freestyle swimmer. She won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in the 400 m and 800 m, breaking the 19 year-old world record of Janet Evans in the 800 m final...
became the first British swimmer to win more than one gold medal at a single Olympic Games since Taylor won three in 1908.