William Webb Ellis 1806 – 1872

Biography

William Webb Ellis was born on November 24, 1806, in Salford, England, during a time of significant social and industrial change. He devoted his life to service within the Anglican Church, following a calling that would define his career and character. Though his ecclesiastical work formed the foundation of his adult life, Ellis would become known to posterity for a legacy that extended far beyond the pulpit.

Ellis spent his ministerial years serving his faith community with dedication. However, his name became inextricably linked with the origins of Rugby football, one of the world’s most popular sports. According to long-standing tradition, his creative spirit and unconventional thinking contributed to the development of this beloved game, though the exact circumstances of his involvement remain a matter of historical debate.

In his later years, Ellis relocated to Menton, France, where he lived until his death on February 24, 1872. He was laid to rest in the Cimetière du Vieux Château in Menton, far from his native Salford. William Webb Ellis left behind a dual legacy—that of a faithful Anglican clergyman and a figure forever woven into sporting history, remembered by generations who have played the game that bears the name of his school.