Chaucer Elliott

Edwin Smith "Chaucer" Elliott (August 20, 1878 – March 13, 1913) was a Canadian sportsman and a Hall of Fame referee and linesman. He was the grandfather of Bob Elliott, one of Canada's most respected sports writers.

Chaucer Elliott.

Early life and education

Born in Kingston, Ontario, Elliott played hockey and football at his hometown Queen's University. While studying arts and later medicine, he captained Queen's rugby and hockey team.[1] He also played for the Kingston Granites, winners of the Canadian championship in 1899.[2] It was while at Queen's that Elliott earned his nickname Chaucer, after Geoffrey Chaucer due to his expansive vocabulary.[3] However, he left the university before graduating to organize a semi-professional baseball club in Kingston, Ontario.[2]

Career

In 1903, Elliott joined a Toronto baseball team that played within the Eastern League, and later moved to play in the New England League.[4] While playing minor league baseball, he also began his career as a hockey referee with the Ontario Hockey Association.[5] By 1906, Elliott began coaching the ORFU's Toronto Argonauts, where he was later appointed manager.[6] The following year, he was hired as the coach for the Montreal AAA's Winged Wheelers and an advisor for the organization.[5] He also managed the Oswego baseball team in the Empire League and attempted to organize an international baseball league.[7]

Elliott resigned from the Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers position in 1911 to manage the St. Thomas Saints of the Canadian Baseball League.[5] He also managed the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association.[8] This was shortlived however as he was diagnosed with an irreversible form of cancer in 1913 and died in his hometown Kingston at the age of 34.[9]

In 1961 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

References
  1. ""Chaucer Elliott" the Sportsman". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg. March 22, 1913.icon of an open green padlock
  2. Blevins, Dave (December 23, 2011). The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer. Scarecrow Press. p. 281. ISBN 9781461673705. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  3. Elliott, Bob (November 23, 2012). "Elliott looks back on an old Argos coach: His grandpa". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  4. ""Chaucer" Elliott". Cape Vincent Eagle. New York. March 13, 1913.icon of an open green padlock
  5. "Chaucer Elliott". hhof.com. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  6. "Hockey". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg. October 2, 1906.icon of an open green padlock
  7. "Chaucer Elliot's Team". Lindsay Weekly Post. Ontario. August 23, 1907.icon of an open green padlock
  8. "Short Snaps". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg. December 20, 1911.icon of an open green padlock
  9. "Chaucer Elliott died at Kingston" The Montreal Gazette, March 14, 1913.
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