1. Arnold Frank Hills was an English businessman, sportsman, philanthropist, and activist.
16 Facts About Arnold Hills
1. 2.
Arnold Hills notably made an appearance for the England national football team in 1879.
3.
Arnold Hills was born in Denmark Hill, Surrey, the son of a manufacturing chemist.
4.
Arnold Hills was a keen sportsman, who was the British mile champion, winning the 1878 AAC Championships title and the three-mile champion in 1879.
5.
Arnold Hills appeared as a forward for Oxford University as they finished runners-up in the 1877 FA Cup Final against Wanderers.
6.
Arnold Hills was Managing Director of the Thames Iron Works, a large shipbuilding business in London which had existed since 1846.
7.
Arnold Hills chose to live for five years among his workers in a small house in the East India Dock Road in Canning Town and organised recreational centres for them.
8.
Arnold Hills proposed a West Ham as a limited company and became the major shareholder, and encouraged business associates, family and his workmen to invest, promising to buy one share for every one sold to the public.
9.
Arnold Hills rented the Memorial Grounds to the club at very favourable terms.
10.
Arnold Hills told the new directors he would not interfere in the running of the club and was true to his word and despite being by far the largest single shareholder never attended an AGM, ask to address a meeting or present any demands or suggestions.
11.
Arnold Hills was the first President of the London Vegetarian Society serving alongside the young Mahatma Gandhi on the Executive Committee.
12.
Arnold Hills was the first President of the Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club and served as President of a London Vegetarian Rambling Club.
13.
Arnold Hills founded The Vegetarian, an independent magazine, as well as the Vegetarian Federal Union, of which he was President.
14.
Arnold Hills founded the Oriolet Fruitarian Hospital at Loughton, under the medical direction of Josiah Oldfield.
15.
Arnold Hills authored Vital Food which argued for a plant-based raw food diet.
16.
Arnold Hills died at Hammerfield, Penshurst, Kent, in 1927 aged 69, and was buried at St Luke's Church in Penshurst.