Henry Leeke (athlete)
British athlete
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henry Leeke (6 February 1846[1] – 21 February 1922) was a notable British amateur athlete, and Amateur Champion of England in the hammer throw and shot put.[2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 February 1846 Holbrook, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | 21 February 1922 (aged 76) Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event | Hammer throw / Shot put |
| Club | Trinity College, Cambridge |
Early years
Born in Holbrook, Derbyshire, Leeke was the son of the Reverend William Leeke and his wife, Mary Anne. His father was a noted Waterloo historian and famous for carrying the Colour of the 52nd Light Infantry during the battle.[3]
Athletic career
He represented the University of Cambridge in the hammer throw and shot put,[3] winning the hammer event against Oxford in 1868.[4] He was recognised as "one of the pioneers of British hammer throwing", and was the 3 x British Champion, winning the AAC Championships in 1868, 1870 and 1872.[4]
Personal life
He married the daughter of Matthew Wise of Shrubland Hall, Leamington,[5] with whom he had five daughters and one son, Henry Alan Leeke, who represented Great Britain at the 1908 Summer Olympics, and who died in 1915.[3]
Leeke died at Cliff House, Leamington on 21 February 1922, aged 76.[3]