Kelly father revealed in biography

By Melissa Bray

John B. Kelly Sr. has been called one of the greatest rowers. He won three Olympic gold medals from two Olympic Games and continued to stay involved in the sport throughout his entire life. Despite this Kelly Sr. has perhaps been overshadowed by two of his children; Grace Kelly, who became princess of Monaco and John Kelly Jr., a four-time Olympic rower. Author Daniel J. Boyne has recently written a book that focuses predominantly on Kelly Sr.

Kelly, a father, a son, an American quest is a biography by Boyne that follows the life of Kelly Sr., from his poor roots as an Irish immigrant family in Philadelphia, the United States at the turn of the 20th century, to a successful rower and businessman. It then moves on to Kelly Sr.’s son, John Kelly Jr.

A sizeable chunk of the book describes the exclusion of Kelly Sr. from participating in the Henley Royal Regatta and then the retribution when son, Kelly Jr., or Kell, wins it years later.

The book arouses the romanticism of rowing and highlights aspects of the sport in its historical context especially in terms of the social society. It is peppered with many colourful anecdotes which bring the characters to life and paints a picture of the sport that makes it interesting for both rowers and non-rowers alike.

Boyne includes many memorable quotes. The following one has Kelly Sr. telling his mother why he wants to put all of his energy into rowing the single rather than start a career and get married.

“In rowing, you can let up, slacken off, or fall back, at any time. The decision is entirely yours… The water rushes by, the slide hurts your backside, your hands burn from the oars, your back aches, exhaustion blinds you, your arms and legs are heavy weights – but there’s no encouraging voice beside you, no helping hand. You’ve got to rely on muscle and heart, on spirit and soul, on will and determination, such as no other sport demands.”

Boyne also delves into the history of rowing and how it first became a sport. Using the historical context the book shows an appreciation for how the historical direction of rowing has shaped the present-day sport especially in terms of the desire to remain an amateur sport.

It is beautifully presented with carefully chosen black and white photographs beginning each chapter.

The book is published by Mystic Seaport – the Museum of America and the Sea. It is the third rowing book written by Boyne who is the director for recreational rowing at Harvard University in Cambridge, United States.

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