Jefferson Lowndes

Jefferson Lowndes (1858–1893) was an English rower who won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta five times and who also won the Wingfield Sculls twice.

Lowndes was born at Oxford and had only one eye. He studied at Hertford College, Oxford where he won the University Sculls in 1878 and 1879. Also in 1879 he won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley for the first time, beating Frank Lumley Playford. Playford however beat Lowndes in the Wingfield Sculls that year. Lowndes then became a schoolmaster at Derby School and rowed for Derby School Rowing Club. He won the Diamond Challenge Sculls again in 1880 and 1881. In 1881 he also won the Wingfield Sculls and the London Cup at the Metropolitan Regatta to achieve the "Triple Crown". He won the Diamond Challenge sculls again in 1882. In 1883 he was rowing for Twickenham Rowing Club and won the Diamond Challenge Sculls for the fifth time, the Wingfield Sculls for the second time and the London Cup at Metropolitan Regatta again for his second triple crown. In 1884 he won Silver Goblets at Henley with D E Brown.

Lowndes died at Liverpool at the age of 35.

NOTES, Derby Town Rowing Club founded in 1879, claimed no wins until 1904. Jefferson Lowndes was a Master at Derby School and raced for them at Derby Regatta. Derby School Rowing Club was affiliated to Derwent Rowing Club (founded 1857), and Lowndes appears in the books of account of this Club, there is no record of him racing for either Club at Regattas. He entered Henley Royal Regatta as"Derby" i.e. from the Town of. Not until the 20th Century did Derby Town RC, change its name to DERBY ROWING CLUB.

JOHN PARTRIDGE, VICE PRESIDENT of Derwent Rowing Club and its current Historian.