Herbert Playford
Encyclopedia
Herbert Harlee Playford was a British rower
who won the Wingfield Sculls and the Diamond Challenge Sculls
at Henley Royal Regatta
. He was instrumental in founding London Rowing Club
and the Metropolitan Regatta
.
Playford was born in Chingford
, Essex, and was part of a rowing family which included his brother Francis Playford
. He was in business in the City of London
as a timber merchant. He won the Diamond Challenge Sculls in 1854 and later that year won the Wingfield Sculls with a row-over. In 1855 he lost both the Diamond Challenge Sculls and the Wingfield Sculls to A. A. Casamajor
who was to be the major force in rowing for the next six years. In 1856 Playford was instrumental, with Casamajor and Josias Nottidge
, in founding the London Rowing Club
. and stroked the club's winning crew in the Grand Challenge Cup
at Henley in 1857. In 1859 he fainted when competing in the Diamond Challenge Sculls but won them again in 1860, beating E D Brickwood
after Casamajor stood aside.
Playford was captain of Lowdon Rowing Club and was also responsible for establishing the Metropolitan Regatta
, in 1866.
Playford died at the age of 52.
Playford married Louisa Mary Blake in 1856 and had sons Herbert and Louis. Louisa died in 1866 and Playford married again to Selina Boydell in 1873. They lived at Radnor House Malden
, Surrey
.
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 won the Wingfield Sculls and 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...
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...
. He was instrumental in founding London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
and the Metropolitan Regatta
Metropolitan Regatta
The Metropolitan Regatta is an international rowing regatta. It takes place on Dorney Lake, Buckinghamshire near Eton next to the River Thames in southern England. It attracts crews from schools, clubs and universities from around the United Kingdom, Europe and the USA...
.
Playford was born in Chingford
Chingford
Chingford is a district of north east London, bordering on Enfield and Edmonton to the west, Woodford to the east, Walthamstow and Stratford to the south and Essex to the north. It is situated northeast of Charing Cross and forms part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest...
, Essex, and was part of a rowing family which included his brother Francis Playford
Francis Playford
Francis Playford was a British rower who won the Wingfield Sculls in 1849 and the pairs oars at Henley Royal Regatta....
. He was in business in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
as a timber merchant. He won the Diamond Challenge Sculls in 1854 and later that year won the Wingfield Sculls with a row-over. In 1855 he lost both the Diamond Challenge Sculls and the Wingfield Sculls to A. A. Casamajor
A. A. Casamajor
Alexander Alcée Casamajor was a British rower who won the Wingfield Sculls in six successive years and the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta as well as being twice in the winning Grand Challenge Cup team....
who was to be the major force in rowing for the next six years. In 1856 Playford was instrumental, with Casamajor and Josias Nottidge
Josias Nottidge
Josias Nottidge was an English rower who twice won Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta.Nottidge rowed initially for Wandle Club . He took part in the Wingfield Sculls in 1853 when it was won by James Paine. In the heat, there was a private match between Nottidge and H C Smith for a £15 cup. ...
, in founding the London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
. and stroked the club's winning crew in the Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event 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...
at Henley in 1857. In 1859 he fainted when competing in the Diamond Challenge Sculls but won them again in 1860, beating E D Brickwood
Edwin Brickwood
Edwin Dampier Brickwood was a British rower who won the Wingfield Sculls in 1861 and the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta in 1859 and 1862. He also wrote about rowing....
after Casamajor stood aside.
Playford was captain of Lowdon Rowing Club and was also responsible for establishing the Metropolitan Regatta
Metropolitan Regatta
The Metropolitan Regatta is an international rowing regatta. It takes place on Dorney Lake, Buckinghamshire near Eton next to the River Thames in southern England. It attracts crews from schools, clubs and universities from around the United Kingdom, Europe and the USA...
, in 1866.
Playford died at the age of 52.
Playford married Louisa Mary Blake in 1856 and had sons Herbert and Louis. Louisa died in 1866 and Playford married again to Selina Boydell in 1873. They lived at Radnor House Malden
Malden
Malden is the name of places:In England:*New Malden, Kingston upon Thames*Old Malden, Kingston upon Thames*Malden Rushett, Kingston upon ThamesIn the United States of America:*Malden, Illinois*Malden, Massachusetts*Malden, Missouri...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
.