Arthur Kwame Wharton was born in Jamestown, Accra on 28 October 1865. He migrated to Darlington, England in 1883 where he went on to become a prolific and record-breaking sportsman.
He was the first Black professional footballer in the English Football Association. He later became a cycling champion, professional cricketer, a rugby player and athlete.
As a sprinter, he received the Prince Hassan Cup after running 100 yards (now metres) in a record time of 10 seconds on 3 July 1886 at Stamford Bridge, London.
His father, Henry Wharton, was a Grenadian-Scottish, minister and missionary. His mother, Annie Florence Egyriba, was a member of Fante royalty.
This is our seventh post in our Black History Month Countdown.
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