William Webb Ellis
William Webb Ellis was born on November 24, 1806. See ranking, bio blurb, and everyone else born that day.
About William Webb Ellis
William Webb Ellis (24 November 1806 – 24 February 1872) was an English Anglican clergyman who, by tradition, has been credited as the inventor of rugby football while a pupil at Rugby School. According to legend, Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a school football match in 1823, thus creating the "rugby" style of play. Although the story has become firmly entrenched in the sport's folklore, it is not supported by first-hand evidence, and is discounted by most rugby historians as an origin myth. The Webb Ellis Cup is presented to the winners of the Rugby World Cup.