About Billy Glenn
Lived 1877 – 1953 (aged 76). Billy Glenn was a New Zealand rugby union player and politician.
William Spiers Glenn (21 February 1877 – 5 October 1953) was a New Zealand rugby union player who played for the All Blacks on their 1905 tour. He later became a Reform Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand.
Early life Glenn was born in Greymouth in 1877 and moved to Manaia, Taranaki, with his family as a child. He was a keen sportsman, and as well as playing rugby, he became secretary of the Manaia Tennis Club. He was a member of the Egmont Racing Club and owned several race horses.
Parliamentary career
Glenn was elected to the Rangitikei electorate in the 1919 general election, but was defeated in 1928. In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.
He was the first All Black to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament.
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Important facts
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Billy Glenn's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Billy Glenn?
New Zealand rugby union player and politician (1877-1953)
When was Billy Glenn born?
Billy Glenn was born on 21 February 1877 in Greymouth.
When did Billy Glenn die?
Billy Glenn died on 5 October 1953.
What was Billy Glenn's occupation?
Billy Glenn was a rugby union player and politician.
What nationality was Billy Glenn?
Billy Glenn was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Billy Glenn. https://biography.guide/billy-glenn/
MLA: "Billy Glenn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/billy-glenn/.
Chicago: "Billy Glenn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/billy-glenn/.
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