Background
Monypenny was born in Hampstead, London in 1867 to James Robert Blackwell Monypenny, 26th Laird of Pitmilly and Mary Elizabeth Lane.
athletics competitor rugby union player
Monypenny was born in Hampstead, London in 1867 to James Robert Blackwell Monypenny, 26th Laird of Pitmilly and Mary Elizabeth Lane.
He was educated at Fettes College before matriculating to Jesus College, Cambridge in October 1889.
As a youth he was a sportsman of some renown who played rugby union for several teams including Cambridge University and the Barbarians. He was president of Cambridge University Athletics Club, for a period was the World Record holder for the 150-yard dash and was one of the fastest men in the world over 100 metres. Monypenny threw himself into sporting life at Cambridge and received three sporting "Blues" for athletics between 1890 and 1892 in the 100 and 440 yards, taking the 440 yards title and setting a Varsity record in the 1892 meet.
In 1891 Monypenny was recognised as the seconded fastest man in the world behind American Luther Cary, recording a time of 10.8 seconds in the 100-metre sprint on 22 July.
The next year, although recording an identical time of 10.8 seconds, he was judged the joint fastest men in the world that year, along with American athlete Cecil Lee. As well as athletics, Monypenny also joined the Cambridge University rugby team
Monypenny married Emila Sybil Wetenhall, daughter of Cecil Algernon Salisbury Wetenhall from Northampton. They had a daughter, Phoebe who became the heiress of Monypenny of Pitmilly.
Sometime after leaving Cambridge Monypenny became involved with a brewing firm in Macclesfield, before immigrating to British Guiana in 1902 as a cotton and tobacco grower.
While in South America he remarried and had another four children from this second marriage. He remained in British Guiana until 1912 when he moved to Barbados. Monypenny remained in the Caribbean until 1922 when he returned to Britain living in Finchampstead.
He remained there until 1930 when he moved to Caversham Heights in Reading.
Remaining there until his death in 1947.