John Lisle Hall MacFarlane

Dr John Lisle Hall McFarlane MB ChB (19 June 1851 – 17 March 1874) was a Scottish physician and international rugby union player and sportsman.

Personal history McFarlane was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica in 1851 to John MacFarlane, and Edinburgh-educated surgeon, who had married Anna Smith, the daughter of a Jamaican estate owner. McFarlane's middle name of Lisle was taken from his mother's forebears who held connections to the Barons Lisle. McFarlane grew up in Scotland and was educated at several of the country's finest schools. He attended the Edinburgh Institute of Maths before switching as a boarder at the private Abbey Park School in St Andrews. It was at the establishments that he developed his enjoyment of sport and where he began to play rugby. In 1869 he left Abbey Park to enrol at Craigmount School, supposedly just to get into the cricket team.

McFarlane matriculated to Edinburgh University where he studied medicine.

Having finished college, McFarlane became a resident doctor at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He still continued to play rugby for Edinburgh University. McFarlane also continued to play cricket during this period as his 'summer game'. He played for Carlton Cricket Club in Edinburgh and despite being just 19 was made first team vice-captain in 1871 and again in 1872. He was also the team's leading batsman in 1870.

Death In early 1874, McFarlane played for Edinburgh University against Glasgow University. The game ended in a draw, but McFarlane scored a try and impressed enough to be selected for the upcoming fourth Scotland international against England. A week later he again turned out for Edinburgh University against Royal High School RFC. McFarlane kicked the winning goal in the first quarter of the game, but in the final moments of the match he fell awkwardly and dislocated his knee. The injury itself was not life-threatening, but he was left for a considerable time on the cold ground before being moved for treatment. The sculpture is by Edinburgh's leading sculptor of the day, Sir John Steell. The grave stands towards the north-west within the original cemetery.