Walter Rye

Walter Rye (31 October 1843 – 24 February 1929) was a British athlete and antiquary, who wrote over 80 works on Norfolk.

Walter Rye was born in Chelsea, London. He was the seventh child of Edward Rye, a solicitor and bibliophile, and his wife, Maria Rye née Tuppen. His sister was the social reformer Maria Rye, and his brother was the entomologist Edward Caldwell Rye.

Rye was the "father" of cross country running (or paper chasing as it was then known), and the founder of the Thames Hare and Hounds, and its president until his death.

Rye retired from his career as a solicitor in 1900 and settled in Norwich, and only eight years later was elected Mayor, an office he held from 1908-09.

He had seven sons and three daughters. One of his sons was the solicitor and conservative politician Frank Rye.

Rye died at his Norwich home, 66 Clarendon Road, on 24 February 1929. He is buried in the town of Lamas, Norfolk.

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