Sir Allan Arthur (1857-1923) was a Scotland international rugby football player.^[1][2] He later moved to India as a merchant, where he became a civil servant. He was knighted in 1900 for his Indian public service work.^[3] He was named as one of Queen Victoria's birthday knights.^[4]

Rugby Union career

Horse-racing career

The newspaper The Sportsman noted in its obituary of Arthur that he was a noted owner of race horses. Arthur became the chairman of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. The newspaper noted that although Arthur owned a number of horses, his colours did not merit any great success.^[6]

Business and Civil Service career

Allan's father, another Arthur Allan, was a merchant in the firm of Henry Montieith and Company.^[4]

At the age of 20, the younger Allan went to India. He began in the employ of the merchants Finlay, Muir and Company. He later became a director of the merchant firm Ewing and Company.^[3]

As a merchant, Allan became involved in the trade of jute. He became a director of an extensive jute shipping company: R. Steel and Company Limited.; and a director of the Manipiet Jute Company. He was also a director of the Union Baling Company.^[7]

He was elected four times as the president of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce. He retired in 1920.^[3]

His civil service career began in parallel. He was appointed a member of the Viceroy's Leglistaive Council; and in 1890 became the Sheriff of Calcutta. For his public services he received a knighthood in 1900.^[3]

Family

Arthur was unmarried.^[3] He died at his home at Larch Hill in Moffat.^[3] He was the brother of John Arthur who was also capped for Scotland during the first ever rugby international.^[2]

Arthur's funeral was held on 11 October 1923. The funeral processed from Glasgow Central Station to the Necropolis,^[8] where he is buried.^[9]

References

Sources