William King (rugby union)

This article is about the American rugby union player. For other rugby players named William King, see William King (disambiguation) § Sports.

William King

King with the US team in 1912 (pictured back row, third from left)
Full name	William Norris King
Date of birth	(1890-12-03)December 3, 1890
Place of birth	San Mateo, California
Date of death	July 1, 1937(1937-07-01) (aged 46)
University	University of California
Rugby union career
Position(s) Back row Lock Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1910–1914 University of California () Correct as of November 3, 2018 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1912–1913 United States 2 (0) Correct as of November 3, 2018

William Norris King (December 3, 1890 – July 1, 1937) was an American rugby union player who played in the back row for the United States men's national team in its first two capped matches in 1912 and 1913.

Biography

William King was born on December 3, 1890[1] in San Mateo, California, the son of Frederic Randolph King and Edith King (born Boswell).[2] He was the grandson of minister and noted orator, Thomas Starr King.[2]

As a freshman at the University of California, King was a member of the varsity rugby team.[3] While at the university, King played primarily at lock.[4][5] On November 16, 1912, King played for the United States at flanker in its first capped match against Australia—a 12–8 loss.[6] On November 15, 1913, King returned to the United States team, playing at number eight against New Zealand—a 51–3 defeat.[7] By August 1914, King had withdrawn from the University of California and was consequently no longer a member of the rugby team.[8]

After attending the University of California and playing for the United States team, King became a rancher.[2] William King died on July 1, 1937, at the age of 46.[1]

References

1. "William King". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
2. "William Norris King". The Rugby History Society. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
3. "U. C. Varsity Rugbyites to Enter Training". The San Francisco Call. Vol. CVIII, no. 140. Berkeley, California. October 17, 1910. p. 11. Retrieved November 3, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Probable Line-Up for California-Stanford Game". The San Francisco Chronicle. Vol. CI, no. 111. November 3, 1912. p. 57. Retrieved November 3, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Big Game Lineup". The San Francisco Examiner. Vol. XCIX, no. 130. November 7, 1913. p. 9. Retrieved November 3, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Australia Tour - Berkeley, 16 November 1912". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
7. "New Zealand Tour - Berkeley, 15 November 1913". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
8. "U. C. Rugby Team Loses Stellar Players". The San Francisco Examiner. Vol. CI, no. 47. August 16, 1914. p. 10. Retrieved November 3, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.