Sir Allan Arthur (1857-1923) was a Scotland international rugby football player.[1][2] He later moved to India as a merchant, where he became a civil servant. He was knighted in 1900 for his Indian public service work.[3] He was named as one of Queen Victoria's birthday knights.[4]
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
Arthur went to school at Glasgow Academy and then Merchiston College.[3]
He was capped twice for Scotland between 1875 and 1876.[2]
Horse-racing career
The newspaper The Sportsman noted in its obituary of Arthur that he was a noted owner of race horses. Arthur became the chairman of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. The newspaper noted that although Arthur owned a number of horses, his colours did not merit any great success.[6]
Business and Civil Service career
Allan's father, another Arthur Allan, was a merchant in the firm of Henry Montieith and Company.[4]
At the age of 20, the younger Allan went to India. He began in the employ of the merchants Finlay, Muir and Company. He later became a director of the merchant firm Ewing and Company.[3]
As a merchant, Allan became involved in the trade of jute. He became a director of an extensive jute shipping company: R. Steel and Company Limited.; and a director of the Manipiet Jute Company. He was also a director of the Union Baling Company.[7]
He was elected four times as the president of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce. He retired in 1920.[3]
His civil service career began in parallel. He was appointed a member of the Viceroy's Leglistaive Council; and in 1890 became the Sheriff of Calcutta. For his public services he received a knighthood in 1900.[3]
Family
Arthur was unmarried.[3] He died at his home at Larch Hill in Moffat.[3] He was the brother of John Arthur who was also capped for Scotland during the first ever rugby international.[2]
Arthur's funeral was held on 11 October 1923. The funeral processed from Glasgow Central Station to the Necropolis,[8] where he is buried.[9]
