Ran Laurie

William George Ranald Mundell Laurie (4 May 1915 – 19 September 1998) was an English physician, Olympic rowing champion and gold medallist. He was the father of actor Hugh Laurie. Early life, education and rowing career Laurie was born in Grantchester, Cambridgeshire, in 1915, the son of William Walker Laurie (1882–1976) and Margaret Grieve (née Mundell) (1886–1959). He was of Scottish descent. Laurie began his rowing career at Monkton Combe School, and continued rowing when he attended Selwyn College, Cambridge, in 1933, where he was a member of the Hermes Club. A. P. McEldowney, the chronicler of Selwyn rowing and founder of University of London Boat Club, said of Laurie: "This year (1933) there arrived at Selwyn a Freshman who was not only the most famous oarsman Selwyn ever had, but also one of the most famous Great Britain ever had – WGRM Laurie. And we can truly claim him as a Selwyn oarsman. He had always told me he learnt all his rowing from Taffy Jones [W J Llewellyn-Jones] at Monkton Combe School. And where but Selwyn did Taffy learn his rowing?" Laurie rowed for Cambridge in the 1934, 1935, and 1936 boat races, all of which were won by Cambridge. He was in the boat with Jack Wilson, who was to become his rowing partner later in their careers. At the 1936 Olympics, he rowed as stroke in Great Britain's eight, the team eventually finishing in fourth place. Together, Laurie and Wilson, rowing for Leander Club, won the Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta in 1938.