Sir Charles Vincent was a talented individual who distinguished himself in many fields. He attended Westminster School and the Royal Military Academy, and then had a career in the Army during which he qualified as a barrister. Vincent left the Army after 10 years and became a war correspondent, covering the Russo-Turkish War in 1877. In 1878 he became the first head of the Scotland Yard Criminal Investigation Department but resigned in 1884 and became a Member of Parliament from 1885 until his death. In 1905 Vincent chaired the meeting that led to the formation of the British Olympic Association. He was knighted in 1896. Vincent was co-opted onto the IOC in March 1901 and served until his passing which occurred while on holiday in the south of France.