Quick Facts
CapricornBiography
John Imrie Gillespie (16 January 1879 – 5 December 1943), known as Jimmy Gillespie, was a Scottish international rugby union player, who played for Scotland and the Lions.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
At club level he played for Edinburgh Academicals.
Provincial career
He was capped by Edinburgh District in 1898.
International career
Gillespie was selected for the 1903 British Lions tour to South Africa and finished the tour as the top Test scorer for the touring team. He played in 19 matches during the tour including all three test games against South Africa. He scored 13 conversions and a single try on the tour, and amassed four points in the first Test, the British failing to score in the second and third tests.
Referee career
He later became a successful referee, including two Wales vs England internationals, one in 1907, and the other in 1911.
Outside of rugby
Gillespie was a chartered accountant.