Background
He was born in Holytown, near Glasgow, Scotland. His father was James Neilson, an Ironmaster and second cousin of Walter Montgomerie Neilson and his mother was Jane Thomson, daughter of George Thomson, the famous Glasgow shipbuilder.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Willie Neilson
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended Merchiston Castle School and was captain of the rugby and cricket sides and School Prefect.
Career
He was capped fourteen times for Scotland between 1891-1897. He also played for London Scottish Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
He represented Scotland at rugby while still attending Merchiston and then left to go to Clare College, Cambridge, where he also played rugby for the university before graduating Bachelor in 1894. Three of William"s brothers, George Thomson Neilson, Walter Gordon Neilson and Robert Thomson Neilson also played international rugby for Scotland.
George and Robert were also Presidents of the SRU. The four brothers never got to play together, although on at least five occasions, various pairings played on the same team
Neilson became President of the Scottish Rugby Union in 1905. He served in the 2nd Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry in World World War World War II He then became a Barrister and settled in London.
William Neilson died in Prestwick, Ayrshire in 1960.
Achievements
-
Born
-
Died
1960 (aged 86) -
Nationality
United Kingdom