Birth name | David Donaldson Robertson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 21 March 1869 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Shawlands, Scotland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of death | 13 September 1937 (aged 68) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of death | Berkshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School |
Haileybury School Glasgow Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
University |
Glasgow University Christ's College, Cambridge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occupation(s) | Solicitor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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David Donaldson Robertson (21 March 1869 – 13 September 1937) was a Scottish sportsman who represented Great Britain and Ireland at golf in the 1900 Summer Olympics, and also played international rugby for the Scotland. [1]
Robertson was born in Shawlands, Glasgow, Scotland to William Alexander Robertson, a wine merchant. [2] He was educated at Haileybury School in Hertfordshire before entering the Glasgow Academy; he later studied at Glasgow University before matriculating to Christ's College, Cambridge in 1889. [3] He received his BA in 1893 and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1895. [2]
With the outbreak of the First World War, Robertson joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, Anti-Aircraft Division.
Robertson died aged 68 in Idstone, Berkshire, England. [4]
Robertson first came to note as a rugby player when he represented Cambridge University in the 1892 Varsity match. [3] The 1893 game was a huge disappointment after heavy rainfall turned the Queen's Club ground into mud. Although both teams came to the match with excellent reputations for exciting play, the game "degenerated into a scramble in the mud"; and the game ended in a nil-nil draw. [5] While still representing Cambridge at club level, Robertson was selected Scotland for a rugby international against Wales as part of the 1893 Home Nations Championship. [6] The Welsh used the four three-quarter tactic to great effect and Scotland were well beaten on their own ground, 9–0. [7] The Scottish selectors acted angrily towards the back positions, making six changes. Robertson was one of those dropped, and never represented Scotland at rugby again.
Medal record | ||
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Men's golf | ||
Representing Great Britain | ||
Olympic Games | ||
1900 Paris | Individual |
In 1900 he won the bronze medal in the men's competition in golf at the Olympics.