Gerard Dewhurst
Gerard Powys Dewhurst | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date London, England |
| Died | March 29, 1956 (aged 84) |
| Occupation(s) | Cotton merchant, banker, amateur footballer |
| Years active | 1890s–1950s |
| Known for | Chairman and Managing Director of Geo. & R. Dewhurst Ltd.; England international footballer (1 cap) |
Gerard Powys Dewhurst J.P. (14 February 1872 – 29 March 1956; occasionally known as Gerald Powys Dewhurst) was a prominent English figure in the cotton merchandising and banking sectors. Additionally, he participated in football at an amateur level, securing a single international appearance for England in 1895, playing as an inside forward.
Early and personal life
Dewhurst was born in London to parents George Bakewell Dewhurst and Frances Ada Dewhurst (née Mann). His upbringing took place at Oughtrington Hall located in Lymm, Cheshire. He received his education at Repton School, where he was part of the school's football XI during 1889 and 1890, followed by studies at Trinity College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, he was awarded a "blue" consecutively in 1892, 1893, and 1894.
In 1897, he entered into marriage with Mary Brougham, and the couple had two sons.
Football career
As an amateur player, Dewhurst represented both Liverpool Ramblers and Corinthians. He also featured once for Liverpool in a match against Crewe Alexandra on 24 March 1894. Between 1892 and 1895, he made 32 appearances for the Corinthians, contributing 18 goals.
His sole cap for England came during the 1895 British Home Championship in a game versus Wales on 18 March 1895, while affiliated with Liverpool Ramblers. The England squad, composed entirely of Corinthian players, was anticipated to secure an easy victory; nevertheless, the match concluded with a 1–1 draw after Wales initially led and Rupert Sandilands equalized.
Business career
Dewhurst became involved in his family’s Manchester-based cotton trading enterprise, Geo. & R. Dewhurst Ltd., eventually ascending to the roles of Chairman and Managing Director. His leadership extended to serving as Chairman of the Vulcan Insurance Company in Manchester and holding directorships at the London Assurance Corporation. He was also a member of the Manchester Royal Exchange. Subsequently, Dewhurst shifted focus to banking by joining Williams Deacon's Bank as Chairman and acted as a director for The Royal Bank of Scotland.
He fulfilled duties as a Justice of the Peace within Denbighshire.
In recognition of his stature, the Great Central Railway named one of its GCR Class 11F "Improved Director" steam locomotives after him—No. 507 (which later carried the numbers L.N.E.R. No. 5507 and B.R. No. 62661).