James Howe McClure

James Howe McClure (8 July 1851 – 1909) was a Scottish rugby football player[1] and along with his brother George Buchanan McClure, has the distinction of being the first twin to be capped in international rugby.[2]

Early life

James Howe McClure was born on 8 July 1851 in the Barony district of Glasgow, the son of James Howe McClure (1812–1891) and Grace (née Buchanan). He was one of twins, his brother George Buchanan McClure deemed to have been born second. They were the fifth and sixth children of James and Grace.[3] His father remarried in 1872 to Charlotte Russell, sister of the Welsh entrepreneur James Cholmeley Russell.[4]

Rugby career

James played his club rugby for West of Scotland FC.[1] He was capped once for Scotland in 1872.[1] His twin brother, George Buchanan McClure, was also capped for Scotland[1] in the next year, making them the first twins to be capped in international rugby - the only other twins to be capped for Scotland are Finlay and Jim Calder.[2]

Personal life

James married Ellen (Ella) Mary Collier (1858–1931) on 29 October 1884. They had five children: Grace Buchanan (1885–1971); George Buchanan (1887–1955); Ellen May (Eiwee) (1889–1979); William Francis Campbell (1892–1940); and James Howe (1899–1967).[4] James died in 1909, outliving his twin by 21 years.

References
  • Bath, Richard (ed.) The Scotland Rugby Miscellany (Vision Sports Publishing Ltd, 2007 ISBN 1-905326-24-6)
  1. Bath, p137
  2. Bath, p139
  3. Old Parish Registers, General Register Office for Scotland, the National Archives of Scotland and the Court of the Lord Lyon, GROS Data 622/00 0140 0281
  4. MacHistory - site dedicated to the McClure family Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
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