On the 20 August 1919, the English cricketer and Scottish rugby union player, Gregor MacGregor, died in Marylebone, London, aged 49.

MacGregor, who was born in Merchiston, Edinburgh in 1869, played rugby for Scotland and cricket for England. He was schooled at Uppingham, before studying at Jesus College, Cambridge. On leaving university he worked on the London Stock Exchange.

MacGregor played 265 first-class cricket matches [1888-1907], and won Blues in all his four years at Cambridge .He made his first-class debut for Cambridge University against C.I. Thornton’s XI at Fenner’s in 1888. He made first-class appearances for several teams, including Middlesex as a wicket keeper, and captained the county club between 1898-1907, later serving as its Treasurer. He played in eight Tests for England, his debut came against Australia in 1890.

He is commemorated at Cambridge, as the first Scot to win a Blue, in the Hone-MacGregor Trophy, a triangular tournament between Cambridge University, Irish Universities and Scottish Universities.

A portrait painted by Henry Weigall Jr, of Andrew Stoddart batting, with MacGregor keeping wicket, was given to the MCC in 1927 and regularly hangs in the Pavilion at Lord’s.

MacGregor was also a notable rugby union footballer, who played club rugby for Cambridge and international rugby for Scotland [1890-1896]. 

In 1890, MacGregor was invited to join the newly formed Barbarians rugby touring team.

His final appearance in an international game was between Scotland and England, at Hampden Park in 1896.

20 August, 2019