Historedia
Person

William Webb Ellis

Events
1
Episodes
4
Years
1823–1826

Every event in Historedia whose sources name William Webb Ellis, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. William Webb Ellis and the Rugby School legend

    1823–1826

    Role: Pupil at Rugby School

    1. 1823–1826 (disputed) · Rugby SchoolAlleged Rule Violation

      William Webb Ellis allegedly caught the ball and ran with it during a football match, an action that was illegal at the time.

    2. 10 October 1876 · The Meteor magazineBloxam's Account

      Matthew Bloxam wrote to The Meteor in 1876 attributing the rule change to Webb Ellis.

    3. 1895-1897 · Old Rugbeian SocietyOld Rugbeian Society Investigation

      The Old Rugbeian Society investigated the origins in 1895 and published a report in 1897 supporting Bloxam.

    4. 1900 · The Close, Rugby SchoolCommemorative Plaque

      A plaque was placed on the Close in 1900 stating Ellis's actions originated the game's distinctive feature.

Sources

  1. William Webb Ellis Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-06