William Snook

William Snook (3 February 1861–9 December 1916) was an English running champion, whose life was mired in controversy and ended in poverty.

Early life Snook was born on 3 February 1861 at Belle Vue, then in the parish of St Julian's, Shrewsbury, to Mary (formerly Corfield) and George Snook. His father was a quarry owner and highway surveyor. Snook attended Admaston College in Shropshire.

In July 1881 he visited Paris, where he won a private race against M. Duplay, an army officer and racehorse owner, in the . From August 1882 until the end of that year, he was suspended from AAA events, as the result of an allegation—which he denied—that he had been complicit in a professional runner competing as an amateur, under an assumed name.

However, he the won three AAA Championships titles at the 1883 AAA Championships, winning the 1 mile, 4 miles and 10 miles events. The following year at the 1884 AAA Championships, he won the steeplechase title and then won another four titles at the 1885 AAA Championships in the 1 mile, 4 miles, 10 miles and steeplechase.

On 6 March 1886, he came second in a cross-country race at Croydon. in September 1895, Snook was tried for the distraction-theft of bonds from a customer in a branch of the bank. Morny had been robbed by three Englishmen.

Personal life, death

Snook married Elizabeth Jane, née Coleman, on 9 August 1884 at St. John's, Toxteth, Liverpool. She became aware of Snook's infidelity when he was called as a witness in a May 1891 trial brought because the cousin had had a (then-illegal) abortion, and admitted the affair. He was buried in a communal grave at Witton Cemetery on 17 December.

He was survived by three sisters. A younger brother pre-deceased him.