Rev George OGILVIE
1826 - 1915 (89 years)
Generation: 1
1. Rev George OGILVIE was born in 1826 in Calne, Wiltshire; died on 1 May 1915 in Rondebosch, Cape Province, South Africa; was buried on 3 May 1915 in Maitland Cemetery, Cape Town, South Africa. Grave No. 628 BC. Other Events and Attributes:
- Baptism: 19 Sep 1826, Calne, Wiltshire
- Residence: 1841, Elm Rectory, Frome, Somerset
- Occupation: 1851; Tutor - Classics. To children of Fulke Southwell Greville J.P.
- Residence: 1851, North Mimms Place, North Mimms, Hertfordshire
- Residence: 1915, The Grange, Sandown Road, Rondebosch, South Africa
Notes:
The History of South African Rugby-published on the rugbyfootballhistory.com website.
The Reverend George Ogilvie ('Gog'), is credited with introducing football to South Africa, following his appointment as Headmaster of the Diocesan College at Rondenbosch, near Cape Town in 1861 and remained until 1885. Actually, the game he taught was the Winchester football variety, a game he had learned at his former ‘alma mater’, the well-known Hampshire school, Winchester College, Hampshire England. Soon, the young gentlemen of Cape Town joined in and the local press reported a series of football matches between scratch sides conveniently named ‘Town v Suburbs’, Civil servants v All comers or ‘Home v Colonial-born’ etc. etc. but the first game took place on 21st August 1862 between the Army and the Civil service.
Published on the Bishops Diocesan College website.
There is also a myth that Canon Ogilvie brought rugby to South Africa. In fact he detested the game and did not want Bishops to play it. What he brought to South Africa in 1861 was a form of football at a time when there was no game called soccer and rugby football was played only at Rugby School. Canon Ogilvie's game was based on what was played at his old school, Winchester College in Hampshire. George Ogilvie was a remarkable personality. His nickname was Gog and the game played at the Cape was often referred to as Gog's Game or Gogball. Bishops got the Cape playing football of this kind, starting with the South African College.
The Form of Information of a Death for George shows him being married at the time of his Death.