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Arthur Robertson (athlete)

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For the Scottish footballer, see Archie Robertson (footballer).
Archie Robertson
Personal information
Birth nameArthur James Robertson
Sport
CountryGreat Britain
SportRunning
ClubBirchfield Harriers
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals1908
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  United Kingdom
Gold medal – first place 1908 London 3 mile team
Silver medal – second place 1908 London 3200 m steeplechase

Arthur James "Archie" Robertson (April 19, 1879 – April 18, 1957) was a Scottish athlete who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.

He was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire and died in Peterborough, Huntingdonshire.

The son of a Glasgow doctor, Robertson was educated at Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow before moving to King's School, Peterborough at the age of 14. A brilliant all-round sportsman, he initially concentrated on cycling and only took up serious athletics at the age of 25, after a cycling injury[1].

In 1906, he joined Birchfield Harriers[1].

In March 1908 he won both the English and International cross-country championships and a 2nd place finish in the 4 mile race at the AAA championship earned him a place at the Olympics.

Robertson won easily in the first round of the 3200 metres steeplechase, finishing in 11:10.0. In the final, he trailed for most of the race. At the bell, he passed one of the two then-leaders, American John Eisele. Robertson was not quite able to catch the other leader, however, and trailed fellow Briton Arthur Russell by two yards at the finish. His final time was 10:48.4. At the same Olympics he won gold as a member of the 3-man 3 mile team race; the first Olympic gold won by a Scottish man[1] and the first by a Birchfield athlete[1]. He also participated in the five miles event and finished fifth. His brother D.C. Robertson was a member of the British cycling team at the same olympics[1].

He retired from athletics after 1909 season and returned to cycling.

He was posthumously inducted into the Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame in 2004[1]. In January 2010, a new J D Wetherspoon pub in Perry Barr, Birmingham (close to the former home of Birchfield Harriers) was named 'The Arthur Robertson' in his honour[1].

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Philpotts, Chris (8 October 2010). "Pub runs with hero's reputation for unexpected triumphs". Great Barr Observer. Birmingham: Central Independent News & Media Ltd. pp. 4–5. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)

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