| Harry Read | |
| Country: | Ireland |
| Fullname: | Henry Marvelle Read |
| Birth Date: | 8 November 1888 |
| Birth Place: | Roscrea, Ireland |
| Death Place: | Dalkey, Leinster, Ireland |
| Nickname: | Harry Read |
| Family: | Kyle Read (Great Grandson) |
| Batting: | Right-handed |
| Club1: | Ireland |
| Year1: | 1912 |
| Columns: | 1 |
| Column1: | First-class |
| Matches1: | 3 |
| Runs1: | 48 |
| Bat Avg1: | 8.00 |
| 100S/50S1: | –/– |
| Top Score1: | 19 |
| Hidedeliveries: | true |
| Catches/Stumpings1: | –/– |
| Date: | 26 October |
| Year: | 2018 |
| Source: | http://www.espncricinfo.com/ireland/content/player/24503.html Cricinfo |
Henry 'Harry' Marvelle Read (8 November 1888 - 6 December 1972) was an Irish first-class cricketer and rugby union international.
Born at Roscrea, Read was educated in Dublin at St Columba's College, before going up to Trinity College, Dublin in 1907.[1] While studying there, he played club cricket for Dublin University Cricket Club.[1] He toured North America with the Gentlemen of Ireland on their 1909 tour, playing minor matches against Ottawa, Ontario, All New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia Colts.[1] [2] He made his debut in first-class cricket on the tour, playing two matches against the Gentlemen of Philadelphia at Haverford and Philadelphia.[3] Three years later, he made his only first-class appearance for Ireland against Scotland at Dublin.[3]
While studying at Trinity, Read excelled in rugby union as a scrum-half. He was a member of the Dublin University Football Club, then one of the strongest rugby sides in Ireland.[1] He was capped for Ireland, earning his first Test cap against England in the 1910 Five Nations Championship at Twickenham.[4] Read earned twelve further Test caps for Ireland, playing his final international against Scotland at Inverleith in the 1913 Five Nations Championship.[5] He played alongside Dickie Lloyd during this period, with the pair being credited with inventing modern half-back play.[1]
Read served in the 2nd Regiment of Life Guards during World War I, ending the war with the rank of Lieutenant.[1] He became a malt farmer after the war.[1] He served as president of Dublin University Football Club from 1945 - 1947.[1] In 1955, he became president of the Irish Rugby Football Union, opening the newly constructed west stand at Lansdowne Road in that same year.[1] Read died at Dalkey in December 1972.[1]
His Great Grandon Kyle Read was capped for Ireland U18 in 2021, as scrum half the position invented by Henry. [6]