James
Peters was born in Salford on 7th August, 1879. His father, George
Peters, was from the West Indies. He worked in a circus until he was
killed in a lion's cage.
He
played cricket and rugby at school. He was also an outstanding athlete
winning the 100 yards, mile, long jump, high jump and walking races
in 1894.
After
leaving school Peters worked in the printing trade. He moved to Bristol
in 1898 and two years later joined Knowle Rugby Club. Some members
objected to the inclusion of a black man and resigned from the club.
In
1902 Peters moved to Plymouth where he
found work in the Devonport Dockyards as a carpenter. He played for
Devon and in 1906 the South African tourists refused to take the field
to play the county when they discovered they had a black man in the
team.
When
Devon won the County Championship journalists began to campaign for
Peters to play for England. On
17th March, 1907, Peters played for England against Scotland. The
newspapers at the time made no reference to the fact that he was the
first black man to be selected to play in a English international
game. Although The Sportsman commented
that the "dusky Plymouth man did many good things, especially
in passing." The Yorkshire Post
praised his performance but pointed out that "his selection is
by no means popular on racial grounds."
In
his next game against France he scored a try in England's 35-8 victory.
He was not picked on racial grounds for the next game against South
Africa. Peters returned to the team for the next two games against
Scotland and Wales. However, he was dropped for the game against Ireland
on 8th February 1908.
In
1910 Peters lost three fingers in a dockyard accident. He continued
to play rugby until 1912 when he was suspended after it was discovered
he had been paid by Devon Rugby Club. Peters now became a professional
playing Rugby League games for Barrow and St. Helens.
James
Peters
died on 26th March, 1954.
