Emile De Lissa

Emile de Lissa was the second President of the Barbarian Football Club from 1936 and 1955. He had been on the Committee from 1905 serving as honorary secretary (1905 to 1913 and 1924 to 1925) and honorary treasurer (1914 to 1924 and 1925 to 1928) and was vice-president from 1928 to 1926.

Emile Ernest Vere de Lissa was born in Sydney on 30 January 1871 and educated at Sydney Grammar School before emigrating to England where he continued his studies at University College School in London. He became a member of Blackheath FC where his administrative skills were put to good use. He was also secretary of United Hospitals and from 1932 to 1948 fulfilled a similar role at Richmond Athletic Ground.

In 1933 he compiled and edited the first statistical history of the Barbarians in book form, 'Barbarian Records, 1890-1933'. He was overseeing the up-dated version when he died on 16 August 1955, aged 84.