Births on November 24

William Webb Ellis

Born on November 24, 1806

William Webb Ellis, English priest, created Rugby football (d. 1872)

William Webb Ellis (24 November 1806 – 24 January 1872) was an English Anglican clergyman and the supposed inventor of rugby football while a pupil at Rugby School. According to legend, Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a school football match in 1823, thus creating the "rugby" style of play. Although the story has become firmly entrenched in the sport's folklore, it is not supported by substantive evidence, and is discounted by most rugby historians as an origin myth.

The William Webb Ellis Cup is presented to the winners of the Rugby World Cup.

References

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Events on 1806

23 Mar

Corps of Discovery
After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the Pacific Ocean, explorers Lewis and Clark and their "Corps of Discovery" begin their arduous journey home.
27 Jun

British invasions of the River Plate
British forces take Buenos Aires during the first British invasions of the River Plate.
12 Aug

British invasions of the River Plate
Santiago de Liniers, 1st Count of Buenos Aires re-takes the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina after the first British invasion.
8 Oct

Congreve rocket
Napoleonic Wars: Forces of the British Empire lay siege to the port of Boulogne in France by using Congreve rockets, invented by Sir William Congreve.
9 Oct

War of the Fourth Coalition
Prussia begins the War of the Fourth Coalition against France.

Births on November 24

William Webb Ellis

Born on November 24, 1806

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1806

Corps of Discovery

British invasions of the River Plate

British invasions of the River Plate

Congreve rocket

War of the Fourth Coalition