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1920-1992
Arthur Wint was born in Jamaica in 1920 and was a successful athlete from a young age. In 1937 he was named Jamaica Boy Athlete of the Year and at the age of 18 he won gold in the 800m at the Central America Games in Panama. During World War Two, Wint joined the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and in 1942 he was sent to Britain for active combat as a pilot. It was during this time that he joined the Polytechnic Harriers athletics club.
In 1947 he left the RAF but remained in London studying medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Nevertheless, Wint still made time for athletics and remained a member of the Harriers. 1948 saw the first Olympic Games take place since 1936. Wint was selected for the Jamaican track team and competed in three different events. He won gold for the 400m, silver for the 800m and almost had success in the 4x400m relay but got cramp during the race. His gold medal was Jamaica’s first Olympic gold.
Wint also competed in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki where he achieved success with a silver in the 800m once again. He was even more successful as part of the 4x400m relay team who broke the world record with their time of 3.03.9.
Upon graduating as a doctor in 1953, Wint retired from athletics and returned home to Jamaica where he was the only doctor in his parish. However, his ties with the UK remained. In 1954 he was awarded an MBE and from 1974-1978 he served as High Commissioner to Britain.
The ‘Gentle Giant’, as he was known, was inducted into the Black Athletes Hall of Fame in the USA in 1977 and the Jamaica Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. Wint died in 1992.
Person
Person
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1861-[1947]
In April 1891 she joined the staff of Regent Street Polytechnic teaching cookery. The Polytechnic Magazine in April 1891 states that she had 'undertaken to superintend our cookery classes. A new course of practical lessons commenced under her.'In the Polytechnic Magazines of 1892 she is said to be teaching high class and household cookery.
In February 1894, the new School of Domestic Economy opened under her supervision.
Matilda wrote two cookery textbooks entitled Polytechnic Cookery Book and Treasure Cookery Book.
In 1913 she was teaching cookery to the Scouts and also ran special classes for the Voluntary Aid Detachment.
During the First World War she taught special War Time Cookery Classes including invalid and war time dishes and hay box cookery.
She retired in about 1925.
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6 Aug 1867–12 Mar 1927
Born in Blackheath in 1867, Sam Mussabini was of Syrian, Turkish, Italian and French descent. He led athletes to 11 medals over the course of five Olympic Games. However, at the time his achievements were never fully acknowledged as athletics was prized for being an amateur sport.
Mussabini’s career in sports started as a sprinter in the 1890s but by 1894 he had moved into coaching cycling. He was also a journalist and both reported on and wrote books on billiards.
By 1908 his career as an athletics coach was underway, coaching South African sprinter Reggie Walker to Olympic gold. He followed this with a gold medal for the Polytechnic Harrier Willie Applegarth at the 1912 Olympics.
In 1913 he was appointed as the full time coach for the Polytechnic Harriers and remained as such for 14 years. During this period he coached two Harriers to Olympic medals at the 1920 Games – Albert Hill (two golds) and Harry Edwards (two bronzes). He also famously coached Harold Abrahams to two golds and a silver at the 1924 Olympics. Their story was the subject of the film Chariots of Fire.
Mussabini died from diabetes in 1927 but his contribution to sport has since been recognised in the form of an induction into the English Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. In 1998 the Mussabini Medal was created to celebrate the contribution of coaches of UK performers who have achieved international success.
Person
Person
Person
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1834-1905
Lecturer at the Royal Polytechnic Institution.
Person
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fl.1926
Teacher of elocution and verse speaking
Person
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fl.1914-1947
Member of Polytechnic staff for over 33 years. First joined as a lecturer in electrical engineering. Became Head of Electrical Engineering when Walter Hibbert retired and Head of the School of Engineering on the retirement of Professor Horne in 1929.Retired in 1947.