Joseph Wright

Joseph Walter Harris Wright (14 January 1864 – 18 October 1950) was a Canadian rower, municipal politician, and all-round athlete who had success in a variety of sports in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

As rowing competitor and coach Wright had more than 130 titles to his credit in numerous rowing classes, including taking the U.S. National Fours and Pairs titles in 1895. He competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics and was a member of the Canadian boat which won the silver medal in the men's eight. He retired from competition at 42 years of age in 1906 after winning two heats of the Grand Challenge Cup in the men's eight at the Henley Royal Regatta - just missing winning the event in the final. He then devoted his time to coaching at the Argonaut Rowing Club. He coached the legendary crews of Geoffrey Barron Taylor helping them win the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta five times in 1907. He also coached stroke Taylor's Argonaut eights crews, representing Canada, at the 1908 Summer Olympics winning the bronze medal, and again at the 1912 Summer Olympics.