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Harry Thrift

1882 – 1958

Rugby player

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About Harry Thrift

Lived 1882 – 1958 (aged 75). Harry Thrift was an academic, rugby union player and teacher.

Harry Thrift (24 December 1882 — 2 February 1958) was fellow and Physics lecturer at Trinity College Dublin and an Irish international rugby union player.

Born in Portobello, Dublin, Thrift was the younger brother of academic and politician William Thrift. He attended The High School, Dublin, and Trinity College Dublin, where he made the first XV in 1902 as a wing three-quarter. A speedy player, Thrift won a 440 yards national championship in 1906 and got a mention in the "Wandering rocks" chapter of the famous James Joyce novel Ulysses, in reference to his participation in a quarter-mile bicycle race.

Thrift captained Ireland amongst his 18 caps from 1904 to 1909. He formed a productive three-quarter partnership with centre James Cecil Parke, who was also a noted tennis player. His five career tries included one on debut against Wales, helping Ireland to a 11–6 win which gave them a share of the Home Nations title, preventing a triple crown for the Welsh. He was both a selector and president of the Irish Rugby Football Union during the early 1920s.

An academic, Thrift was a fellow and physics lecturer at Trinity College Dublin. He served as bursar of the Dublin University Central Athletic Club, of which he was a founding member.

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Important facts

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Harry Thrift?

rugby player

When was Harry Thrift born?

Harry Thrift was born on 24 December 1882.

When did Harry Thrift die?

Harry Thrift died on 2 February 1958.

What was Harry Thrift's occupation?

Harry Thrift was an academic, rugby union player and teacher.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Harry Thrift

· Wikidata: Q130683567

· DBpedia: Harry Thrift

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Harry Thrift. https://biography.guide/harry-thrift/

MLA: "Harry Thrift." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/harry-thrift/.

Chicago: "Harry Thrift." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/harry-thrift/.

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