Henry Brougham (sportsman)

{{short description|English sportsman}}

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{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}

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{{MedalBronze|1908 London | Men's singles}}

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Major Henry Brougham (8 July 1888 – 18 February 1923) was an English rugby union and rackets player.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/17988 |title=Henry Brougham |work=Olympedia |access-date=6 April 2021}}

Brougham was born at Wellington College, Berkshire on 8 July 1888, and was educated at that School and at Brasenose College, Oxford.

In 1907 he won the Public Schools Racquets Championships and in the following year reached the semi-final of the Olympic men's singles competition in London to gain a bronze medal. In 1909 he represented Oxford in the annual match against Cambridge University winning in both the singles and doubles.Brazennotes Issue 14, Trinity Term 2012

As a cricketer he had first represented Berkshire in the Minor Counties Championship whilst still at school, and in 1907 he captained the Wellington first XI.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/lists/102/manual |title=Olympians Who Played First-Class Cricket |work=Olympedia |access-date=28 July 2020}} He made his first-class debut for Oxford University in 1911 and in the Varsity Match that summer scored a stylish second innings of 84, which helped to turn a close match decisively in Oxford's favour. The following year he also represented the Minor Counties against the South African tourists.Wisden's Cricketers' Almanack 1924, www.Cricket Archive.com/archive/scorecards

Although he was never a particularly prominent rugby player either school or University, he caught the attention of the England selectors after a number of fine performances on the wing for Harlequin F.C. during the 1911-12 season, and marked his international debut with a try in an 8-0 victory over Wales at Twickenham in January 1912. He played in all four Tests in that season's Five Nations tournament scoring further tries against Ireland and France.{{cite web |title=Statsguru - Henry Brougham - match by match list |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/2251.html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match |website=ESPNscrum |access-date=7 March 2024}}

On the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 he gained a commission in the Royal Artillery and was posted to France in 1915, eventually attaining the rank of Major. After being caught in a German gas attack in 1917 he was invalided out of active service. In 1918 he contracted tuberculosis whilst commanding a battery in Northern Ireland and never fully recovered his health. He died on 18 February 1923 at La Croix, France from the effects of phthisis.Brazennotes, 2012