Kynaston Studd

Biographical information

RolesOther
SexMale
Full nameJohn Edward Kynaston•Studd
Used nameKynaston•Studd
Nick/petnamesJEK
Born26 July 1858 in Tidworth, England (GBR)
Died14 January 1944 in Marylebone, England (GBR)
Title(s)1st Baronet Studd, of Netheravon
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Kynaston Studd was the Great Britain Flagbearer at the 1908 London Olympics and only the second Briton to perform this duty after Lord Desborough at the Intercalated Games in Athens two year earlier. Strangely, Studd was never an Olympian as he was a top cricketer and was not a member of the Devon Wanderers team that represented Great Britain at cricket for the only time at the 1900 Paris Games.

Studd was educated at Eton College before going to Trinity College, Cambridge, from where he graduated with a Doctor of Law. Although he was a fine footballer at Eton it was at cricket that he excelled. He was a four-time Blue at Cambridge (1881-84). The 1882 XI was captained by one of Studd’s brothers, George. Another sibling Charles captained the side in 1883 and Kynaston himself was captain of the XI in 1884. The three brothers were also in the Cambridge team that enjoyed a memorable 6-wicket victory over the touring Australians at Fenners in 1882. The siblings scored a total of 297 out of 403 runs scored by Cambridge from the bat, and took 8 of the 20 Australian wickets to fall. Kynaston also played First Class cricket for Middlesex while three other brothers, Arthur, Herbert, and Reginald also played the sport at the top level.

Kynaston Studd was awarded the OBE in 1919 and was knighted in 1923. In 1929 became the 1st Baronet Studd, of Netheravon. He held the office of Sheriff of the City of London in 1922-23 and was also the Deputy Lieutenant of the City of London before becoming Lord Mayor of London between 1928-29.

Although it was expected Studd would join the family tea business in India, instead he devoted a large part of his life to religious and educational work at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London and, from 1903 until his death, was president of the Royal Polytechnic Institute. Studd became president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1930 and also served as a magistrate. Just four days before his death he attended a meeting at his beloved MCC at the age of 85.

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1908 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony GBR Kynaston Studd