From Rugby to Menton:
The Life of William Webb Ellis
William Webb Ellis was born on 24 November 1806 in Salford, England. His mother, Ann, who had been a widow since 1812, moved to the town of Rugby.
In the autumn of 1823, during a football match, the young William picked up the ball. This was permitted at the time, but the rules required the player to run backwards with the ball. Ignoring this, he continued running forwards. It was from this moment that the game of ‘Rugby football’ began to evolve .
It is not known whether William Webb Ellis, who had become a reverend, travelled to Menton for pleasure or for health reasons.
The town was then famous for its climate, which was believed to cure tuberculosis. He died there on 24 January 1872. He is buried in the Vieux-Château cemetery (the grave is currently inaccessible due to works), in a plot that he may well have purchased himself.
His grave was rediscovered in 1958 by a local journalist, Roger Driès.
At the lower entrance to the cemetery, a bronze statue, donated by the town of Rugby, depicts him in his founding gesture.
[Extract from the City of Menton’s website]
