George Morphy

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameGeorge Newcomen•Morphy
Used nameGeorge•Morphy
Born20 April 1884 in Dublin, Dublin (IRL)
Died14 April 1946 in Burwash, England (GBR)
AffiliationsDublin University Athletic Club, Dublin (IRL)
NOC Great Britain
Nationality Ireland

Biography

Educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen before going to University College Dublin, George Morphy was the son of a Dublin barrister and he himself became a solicitor. A versatile athlete, Morphy appeared in his first National Championship in 1905 and went on to win nine Irish AAA titles – 440 y (1908-10), 880 y (1905-06, 1908), and the mile (1905-06, 1908) – he was the champion in all three events in 1908 and nearly repeated the feat in 1909 when he won the 440y but could finish only second in the 880 y and mile. His first representative honours were in 1905 when he helped Dublin University beat the United London Hospitals at Guys, with his wins in the 880 y and mile paving the way for a 5-4 victory. He stayed in London to take part in the AAA championship the following week, but the best he could manage was a second place in his 880 y heat. Two weeks later Morphy made his Ireland début against Scotland at Edinburgh. It was a fixture he was to appear in five times between 1905 and 1909 when he bowed out with victory in the mile at Dublin. Morphy served with the Royal Army Service Corps from 1914-21.

Personal Bests: 440y – 52.4 (1908); 880y – 1:56.8 (1905); Mile – 4:29.6 (1905).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1908 Summer Olympics Athletics GBR IRL George Morphy
400 metres, Men (Olympic) DNS
800 metres, Men (Olympic) 3 h3 r1/2
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) DNS