Harry Blackstaffe
Encyclopedia
Henry Thomas "Harry" Blackstaffe (28 July 1868 – 22 August 1951) was a British
rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
.
Blackstaffe was born in Islington
, London, and became a butcher. He was a long-standing member of Vesta Rowing Club
in Putney
and also a cross-country runner who represented South London Harriers in the National Championships. As a single scull
er he won nine victories in the London Cup at the Metropolitan Regatta
. He first won the Wingfield Sculls in 1897 but in 1898, 1899 and 1900 was beaten by Benjamin Hunting Howell
. He won again in 1901 defeating Saint George Ashe and Arthur Cloutte
. He lost to Cloutte in 1902 and to Ashe in 1904, but beat them both in 1905 and 1906. At first he had difficulty in having his entry accepted for Henley Royal Regatta
but competed in the
Diamond Challenge Sculls
in 1905 when he lost to Frederick Septimus Kelly
. In 1906 he won the Diamond Sculls beating Captain Darell
. In 1908 he won the Wingfield Sculls again and his ninth London Cup, but his major success was to win the gold medal in the single scull
s, rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics
. He was aged forty and his opponent in the final Alexander McCulloch
was exactly half his age and had won Diamonds that year. The final was considered the finest race of the Olympic Regatta and was virtually level until the last 50 yards when Blackstaffe held on to a light advantage to become the oldest sculling champion in Olympic history
After this victory, Blackstaffe retired and was made a Freeman of the City of London. He was later senior life vice-president of the Amateur Rowing Association.
Blackstaffe died at West Wickham
,at the age of 83.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
rower who competed 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...
.
Blackstaffe was born in Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
, London, and became a butcher. He was a long-standing member of Vesta Rowing Club
Vesta Rowing Club
Vesta Rowing Club is a rowing club based on the River Thames in Putney, London, England. It was founded in 1870.Vesta organizes two head races every year; the Scullers Head and the Veterans Head.-Notable results:...
in Putney
Putney
Putney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
and also a cross-country runner who represented South London Harriers in the National Championships. As a single scull
Single scull
A single scull is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for a single person who propels the boat with two oars, one in each hand....
er he won nine victories in the London Cup at 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...
. He first won the Wingfield Sculls in 1897 but in 1898, 1899 and 1900 was beaten by Benjamin Hunting Howell
Benjamin Hunting Howell
Benjamin Hunting Howell was an American rower who won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta and the Wingfield Sculls in 1898 and 1899....
. He won again in 1901 defeating Saint George Ashe and Arthur Cloutte
Arthur Cloutte
Arthur Hamilton Cloutte was an English rower who won the Wingfield Sculls, the amateur single sculling championship of the River Thames, in 1902...
. He lost to Cloutte in 1902 and to Ashe in 1904, but beat them both in 1905 and 1906. At first he had difficulty in having his entry accepted for 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...
but competed in 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...
in 1905 when he lost to Frederick Septimus Kelly
Frederick Septimus Kelly
Frederick Septimus Kelly was an Australian and British musician and composer and a rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics...
. In 1906 he won the Diamond Sculls beating Captain Darell
William Darell
Brigadier-General William Harry Verelst Darell CMG, DSO was a British Army officer and rower who won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta....
. In 1908 he won the Wingfield Sculls again and his ninth London Cup, but his major success was to win the gold medal in the single scull
Single scull
A single scull is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for a single person who propels the boat with two oars, one in each hand....
s, rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics
At the 1908 Summer Olympics, four rowing events were contested, all for men only. Races were held at Henley-on-Thames. The competitions were held from July 28, 1908 to July 31, 1908. There was one fewer event in 1908 than 1904, after the double sculls was dropped from the programme...
. He was aged forty and his opponent in the final Alexander McCulloch
Alexander McCulloch
Alexander McCulloch was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.-Biography:McCulloch was born at Melbourne, Australia, the son of George McCulloch...
was exactly half his age and had won Diamonds that year. The final was considered the finest race of the Olympic Regatta and was virtually level until the last 50 yards when Blackstaffe held on to a light advantage to become the oldest sculling champion in Olympic history
After this victory, Blackstaffe retired and was made a Freeman of the City of London. He was later senior life vice-president of the Amateur Rowing Association.
Blackstaffe died at West Wickham
West Wickham
West Wickham is a place in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is 10.3 miles south east of Charing Cross. West Wickham history dates back to early settlements existing since 1068, although the name `Wickham` is an indication of an earlier Anglo-Saxon settlement...
,at the age of 83.