A Short Biography of Eric H. Liddell (1902 – 1945)
Eric
Henry Liddell was born on 16th January 1902 in Tientsin
(Tianjin) I North China, second son of the Rev. & Mrs. James
Dunlop Liddell who were missionaries with the London Mission
Society
He was educated from 1908 to 1920 at Eltham College, Blackheath, a
school for the sons of missionaries. Eric, with his older
brother Rob, were left at their boarding school while their parents and
sister, Jenny, returned to China.
During the boys’ time at Eltham College, their parents, sister and new
brother Ernest came home on furlough two or three times and were able
to be together as a family – mainly living in Edinburgh.
In 1920, Eric joined his brother Rob at Edinburgh University to
read for a BSc in Pure Science. He
graduated after the Paris Olympiad in 1924. To find out more about his life in Edinburgh click here.
Athletics and rugby played a large part in Eric’s University
life. He ran in the 100 yards and the 220 yards for
Edinburgh University and later for Scotland. He
played rugby for Edinburgh University and in 1922 played in seven
Scottish Internationals with A.L. Gracie.The
Liddell Family in 1920. Back Row: Eric,
Rob. Front Row: Jenny, Ernest, Mrs Liddell
Eric crossing the
Japanese lines in approximately 1938
Dedication of Memorial
Stone to Eric Liddell, Weifang, North China 1991
As a result of having insufficient time for both running and rugby, he
chose the former, aiming for the 100 meters in the Paris
Olympics. When he learned that the heats were to be run on a
Sunday, he switched to the 400 metre competition as he was not prepared
to run on a Sunday. He won a gold medal
for the 400 metres and a bronze medal for the 200 metres at the Paris
Olympics.
After the Olympics and his graduation he returned to North China where
he served as a missionary from 1925 to 1943 – first in Tientsin
(Tainjin) and later in Siaochang. During his first
furlough in 1932 he was ordained as a minister. On his return
to China, he married Florence Mackenzie (of Canadian missionary
parentage) in Tientsin in 1934. They had three
daughters; Patricia, Heather and Maureen, who now all live in Canada.
Living in China in the 1930s was potentially very dangerous and in 1937
Eric was sent to Siaochang where he joined his brother
Rob. He was now crossing the Japanese army
lines.
In 1941 life in China was becoming so dangerous that the British
Government advised British nationals to leave.
Florence and the children left for Canada.
During 1941 – 1943 Eric stayed in Tientsin, then in 1943 he was
interned in Weishien camp until his death in 1945.
There are a number of good biographies of Eric Liddell available. Please see our books page for details.
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