Lord DesboroughWILLIAM HENRY GRENFELL, LORD DESBOROUGH: 1856 – 1945
"William Grenfell had a reputation throughout his life for gallantry, humility and kindness".
Desborough College’s heritage links us to Lord Desborough, William Grenfell, who exemplified the Desborough Way through his personal achievements and his public service. Grenfell was an Olympic fencer; he ran and rowed for Oxford University; rowed the English Channel; swam across Niagara twice; and climbed the Matterhorn three times by different routes. As well as competing as an Olympian, Grenfell was Chairman of the British Olympic Association, which was responsible for organizing the London Olympic Games in 1908. He served in the British Army and as a Member of Parliament; he also participated on as many as 115 sporting and civic committees, including serving as President of the Amateur Fencing Association, the Lawn Tennis Association, and the Marylebone Cricket Club. He had a reputation throughout his life for gallantry, humility and kindness. The history of Lord Desborough provides the inspiration for our determination to furnish our students with the moral, civic, performance and intellectual virtues that will enable them to transform their own lives and the lives of those around them, by equipping them with the confidence to lead and the compassion to serve as 21st century global citizens. Additional information can be found at Maidenhead Heritage Centre |