12 Facts About Lucius Gwynn

Lucius Henry Gwynn was an Irish academic and sportsman who was noted for his prowess in both rugby union football and cricket.

Lucius Gwynn was one member of a family well known in the Dublin of his time for its academic and sporting achievements.

Lucius Gwynn was the fourth son of the Very Rev John Gwynn, Regius Professor of Divinity at Trinity College Dublin, and Lucy Josephine, daughter of the Irish patriot William Smith O'Brien.

Lucius Gwynn entered Trinity College Dublin as a foundation Scholar and achieved a double first in his degree finals.

Lucius Gwynn was already suffering from persistent symptoms of debility and fatigue.

At school Lucius Gwynn was mainly a bowler, his brother Arthur being the superior bat, though this inequality was ironed out at university.

Lucius Gwynn was captain of the Dublin University Cricket Club XI for two seasons, 1894 and 1895, then played under Arthur's captaincy.

Primarily noted for his bowling prowess during early outings with the Dublin University XI, Lucius Gwynn took 44 wickets at an average of 8.14 in Trinity's annus mirabilis of 1893, a season which witnessed victories over Leicestershire, Oxford University, Warwickshire and a draw against Essex.

Lucius Gwynn made his debut for Ireland against I Zingari in July 1892 and went on to play for Ireland 13 times, his last game coming in May 1902 against the MCC.

Lucius Gwynn played first-class cricket in two Gentlemen v Players matches, representing the gentlemen, and four matches for Dublin University in 1895, for whom he made his top score of 153 not out against Leicestershire.

Remarkably, Lucius Gwynn represented Ireland seven times at rugby union, debuting against Scotland at Belfast in February 1893.

Lucius Gwynn featured in all three legs of Ireland's 1894 Triple Crown-winning campaign.