Henry Bryden
| Full name | Henry Anderson Bryden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 3 May 1854 | ||
| Place of birth | Banbury | ||
| Date of death | 23 September 1937 | ||
| Place of death | Parkstone, Dorset (aged 83 years 143 days) | ||
| School | Brackenbury’s Anglican Preparatory Military Academy | ||
| University | Cheltenham College | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| - | Clapham Rovers | ||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1874 |
 England
|
1 | |
Henry Anderson Bryden (1854-1937) was an English solicitor, athlete and sportsman, playing rugby for England in 1874. He was a keen hunter and naturalist and travelled widely. He then became a professional author writing about wildlife and his hunting experiences.
Henry Bryden was born on 3 May 1854 in Banbury, the third son of W.A. Bryden, (of Surbiton), and Maria, daughter of William Cowper. He attended Brackenbury’s Anglican Preparatory Military Academy and went on to study at Cheltenham College. As well as rugby football, he was known as an excellent long distance runner, and holder of 37 prizes. He represented South versus North of England, and was second to Walter Slade in what was at the time the fastest amateur mile on record (time 4m 24.5s) in 1875.
Bryden played his club rugby for the dual code side, Clapham Rovers, the two codes being rugby union and association football. From there he was called up for England, and made his only international appearance on 23 February 1874 at The Oval against Scotland match.
Bryden went on to train as a solicitor and after leaving Cheltenham he moved in with his parents in Croydon, Surrey. However, he resided and travelled extensively in South Africa, chiefly in pursuit of sport and natural history and also traveled in Morocco, the Canaries, Norway, Portugal, Spain, France. He married Julia St John Wright on 10 August 1881 in Southam, Northamptonshire with whom he had one daughter (Olivia) and one son (Col.Ronald A.Bryden DSO, RAMC.) Although trained as a solicitor, he later became an author by profession, drawing on his experiences in Africa. His obituary in the Times was headed "Sportsman, Athlete and Naturalist". In this obituary, his book The Enchantment of the Field of 1931 was noted as his best book, "as it is the most varied; it contains an instructive comparison between conditions and methods of foxhunting in England, France and America." Also noted was his Wild Life in South Africa of 1936 that showed his powers of observation as a naturalist.
Among his recreational pursuits were hunting, fishing, shooting, golf, and natural history. He was also a member of the Constitutional and Shikar clubs.
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