C B Fry

C B FRY (Charles Burgess Fry) d1956. English sportsman / politician / writer / scholar and academic described as "the most variously gifted Englishman of any age". He was educated at Repton School and the Oxford University. An exceptional scholar, it was expected he would achieve a first-class degree in classics and then enter the Indian Civil Service with an illustrious career ahead of him. Despite becoming a triple-blue, he rarely discussed his last year at Oxford. It appears that he had a serious mental breakdown shortly before his exams due to his mother being ill and his financial situation in dire straits. At one point he resorted to nude modelling to earn money and eventually was awarded a fourth class degree. With his career plans ruined by academic failure, he turned to his other talents, specifically football and cricket. His amazing sporting achievements went onto include ; playing for England at Cricket & Rugby Union / football for Southampton FC (playing in the FA Cup Final of 1902 against Sheffield United) AND equalling the World Long Jump Record of 23.65 ft in 1893 (whilst supposedly smoking a cigar). Almost certainly he would have won Gold Medals in Athletics at The Olympics of 1896 had he not chosen to pursue cricket instead. During his first class cricket career, he scored over 30,000 runs (averaging over 50) and captained England in six test matches in 1912. His academic brilliance sadly resulted in him suffering with major mental health issues from the 1920s into his later life. He became known for his highly eccentric public behaviour and for often wearing very bizarre clothing. He stood (unsuccessfully) three times as a Liberal Party candidate for various political seats and was asked (but refused) to become The King Of Albania. His extraordinary life came to an end aged 84 in 1956