Theodore Pike


Sir Theodore Ouseley Pike KCMG was an Irish colonial administrator and a sports international.

Early life

Pike was born in Thurles in County Tipperary in 1904. In 1904, Ireland was a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
; Rugby international
In his youth, Pike was a keen sportsman: he played rugby union, usually as prop. He was good enough to play to international standard and represented Ireland, by then a divided nation politically but still fielding an All-Ireland rugby team, for two seasons. In 1927 and in 1928, Pike took part in 7 matches in the Five Nations Championship, playing against France and all the other Home Nations. In addition, Pike played for Britain in a test against Australia.

Career

Pike made his career in colonial administration, rising to become Governor and Commander-in-Chief of British Somaliland, now a part of Somalia, from 1954 to 1959. In 1956, he was knighted, as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, to become Sir Theodore Pike.

Later life

Sir Theodore retired to Guildford in Surrey and died in 1987.