Jefferson Lowndes (1858–1893) was an English

rower Rowing, often called crew in the United States, is the sport of racing boats using oars. It differs from paddling sports in that rowing oars (called blades in the United Kingdom) are attached to the boat using rowlocks, while paddles are ...

. He won the

Diamond Challenge Sculls The Diamond Challenge Sculls is a Rowing (sport), rowing event for men's single sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. First run in 1844, it is open to male scullers from all eligible rowin ...

Henley Royal Regatta Henley Royal Regatta (or Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage) is a Rowing (sport), rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839. It diffe ...

five times and won the

Wingfield Sculls The Wingfield Sculls is a Rowing (sport), rowing race held annually on the River Thames in London, England, on the The Championship Course, Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake. The race is between single scullers and is usually on the ...

twice.

Early life

Lowndes was born at

Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...

with only one eye. In 1878 and 1879, he studied at

Hertford College, Oxford Hertford College ( ), previously known as Magdalen Hall, is a colleges of the University of Oxford, constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. It is located on Catte Street in the centre of Oxford, directly opposite the main ga ...

Rower

While at Oxford he won the University Sculls. In 1879, he won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley for the first time, beating

Frank Lumley Playford Frank Lumley Playford (1855–1931) was a British rower who won the Wingfield Sculls five times and the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta in 1876. Playford was born at Putney, the son of Francis Playford and his wife Emily August ...

. Playford then beat Lowndes in the

that year. Lowndes then became a schoolmaster at

Derby School Derby School was a school in Derby in the English Midlands from 1160 to 1989. It had an almost continuous history of education of over eight centuries. For most of that time it was a grammar school for boys. The school became co-educational a ...

and rowed for the Derby School Rowing Club. In 1880 and 1881, he won the Diamond Challenge Sculls again. In 1881, he won the Wingfield Sculls and the London Cup at the

Metropolitan Regatta The Metropolitan Regatta is an international rowing regatta. It takes place on Dorney Lake, Buckinghamshire near Eton next to the River Thames in southern England. It attracts crews from schools, clubs, and universities from around the United ...

to achieve the "Triple Crown". In 1882, he won the Diamond Challenge sculls again. In 1883, he was rowing for the

Twickenham Rowing Club Twickenham Rowing Club was founded on 26 July 1860 so is jointly with Thames Rowing Club the third oldest rowing club on the Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through sou ...

and won the Diamond Challenge Sculls for the fifth time, the Wingfield Sculls for the second time, and the London Cup at the

again for his second triple crown.Wingfield Sculls Record of Races
/ref> In 1884, he won

Silver Goblets The Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup is a Rowing (sport), rowing event for men's coxless pairs at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs ...

at Henley with D E Brown. Lowndes died at

Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

at the age of 35.

Notes

Derby Town Rowing Club founded in 1879, claimed no wins until 1904. Lowndes was a Master at Derby School and raced for them at Derby Regatta. Derby School Rowing Club was affiliated to Derwent Rowing Club (founded 1857), and Lowndes appears in the books of account of this club. No record describes him racing for either club at regattas. He entered Henley Royal Regatta as "Derby" i.e. from the Town. Not until the 20th century did Derby Town RC, change its name to Derby Rowing Club.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lowndes, Jefferson 1858 births 1893 deaths Alumni of Hertford College, Oxford English male rowers British male rowers