Eric Liddell was born in North China, the second son of the Rev. and Mrs. James Liddell.  Eric’s brothers and sister were Rob (oldest), Ernest (younger brother) and Jenny. Eric’s parents were missionaries with London Mission Society. Eric was educated in the school for the sons of missionaries, Eltham College, Blackheath.

In 1920 Eric joined his brother Rob at Edinburgh University, where athletics and rugby played a large part in Eric’s life. He ran the 100 and 220 yard dashes for Edinburgh University and later for Scotland; he also played rugby for the University.

Making a decision for running over rugby Liddell aimed for the 100 meters in the Paris Olympics in 1924; when he learned that the heats for the dashes were scheduled for a Sunday he switched to the 400 meter competition. Mr. Liddell would not compromise his beliefs he held regarding the Lord’s Day. He won a gold medal for that race and a bronze medal for the 200 meters.

Eric Liddell went to the missionary field in 1925, joining the Anglo-Chinese Christian College. In 1934 he married Florence Mackenzie and had three daughters, Patricia, Heather and Maureen. 1942 saw Mr. Liddell was placed in a Japanese internment camp; there he won the respect of all through his Christian character, which was a great testimony, because of his attentiveness to the needs of the other internees.

Mr. Liddell died in the internment camp from a brain tumor just before the camp was liberated. Eric Liddell, husband, father, minister, missionary, a dynamic athlete, a man of principle, a Christian and Trailblazer of the Church.