John Arkell

Who was John Arkell?

John Arkell was an English clergyman and a rower who won Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta.

Arkell was born at Boddington, Gloucestershire. He was educated at Pembroke College, Oxford, where he was a rower. He rowed for Oxford in the Boat Race in 1857, 1858 and 1859. Oxford won in 1857 but lost in 1858. Arkell succeeded Edmond Warre as O.U.B.C. President, and implemented his idea of Trial Eights at Oxford in the autumn of 1858. Oxford won the Boat Race in 1859 when Arkell was stroke. Also in 1859, Arkell partnered Warre to win Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta beating A. A. Casamajor and James Paine in the final by four lengths.

Arkell took Holy Orders, and was at Manningtree and then Boxted, Essex and at Portishead, Somerset. He became rector of St Ebbe's Church, Oxford.

Arkell died in the Hungerford district at the age of 87.

Arkell married Sarah Elizabeth Harwood at Marylebone in 1860.