LEWIS, CHARLES PRYTHERCH (1853 - 1923), Welsh Rugby footballer and Oxford 'triple Blue'

Born 20 August 1853, son of Frederick Lewis, Llwyncelyn, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire. He was educated at Llandovery and Oxford University where he obtained the degree of M.A. Subsequently, Lewis held a mastership for many years at Llandovery, but resigned and later entered the legal profession. ' C.P.,' as he was popularly known, was a very prominent figure in the athletic world. Whilst at Oxford he got his ' triple Blue ' - winning the hurdle race, throwing the hammer, and playing cricket in the Oxford XI. He represented Wales as a full-back in five international matches between 1882 and 1884. Lewis was also a great cricketer, was a member of the M.C.C., and was once picked to play for England against Australia, but he failed to undertake the journey. He was a member of the Llandovery town council from 1889 to 1920 and in 1899 was made an alderman. He was mayor of the borough during 1894-5 and 1904-5. In 1898 he was made J.P. (Carmarthenshire). He died 27 May 1923.

Author

• Dr Moelwyn Idwal Williams

Sources

• The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser , 1 June 1923
• The Weekly Mail, 3 June 1923
• Western Mail, 28 May 1923
• The Illustrated sporting and dramatic news a high-class weekly journal of sport, art, literature, music and the drama (London 1874-1942), 2 June 1923.

Further Reading

• WalesOnline: The sporting great who became Wales' last line of defence
• Bob Harragan, Andrew Hignell, C.P. Lewis: the champion cricketer of South Wales (Cardiff 2009)
• David Smith, Gareth Williams, Fields of Praise. The official history of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981 (Cardiff 1980), p.41
• Wikipedia Article: Charles Lewis

Images

• Getty Images: Charles Prytherch Lewis

Additional Links

• VIAF: 108008630
• Wikidata: Q2959651

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/