James Robertson (rugby union, born 1854)
Robertson in 1871 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | James George Robertson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 1854 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Banjul, The Gambia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | February , 1900 (aged 46) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Royston, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Madras College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of St Andrews University of Edinburgh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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James George Robertson (c.1854 – February 1900) was a Scottish rugby union player. He is the first black rugby union player in the world.
The Scottish sports historian Andy Mitchell, who researched Robertson's life, stated: "It is intriguing that someone from an unusual background has come to the country and been accepted into society. There is virtually nothing to indicate that he suffered discrimination due to his colour. This raises the question as to whether his social class allowed them to rise above racial discrimination."