George Taylor Richardson (September 14, 1886 – February 9, 1916) was a Canadian ice hockey player, businessman and soldier. Richardson played hockey for Queen's University and the 14th Regiment of Kingston, and was considered one of the finest amateurs of his time. He is enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, and is the namesake of the George Richardson Memorial Trophy. Richardson was part of a prominent business family that owned and operated a grain processing business in Kingston, Ontario. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the First World War, and died in action in Belgium.
Personal life
Richardson was born and raised in Kingston, and graduated from Queen's with a bachelor of science degree in 1906. He was part of the prominent local Richardson family. His grandfather, James Richardson was the founder of James Richardson & Sons. His uncle, Henry Westman Richardson, was a businessman and a Canadian senator. His sister, Agnes was the benefactor of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre. His niece, Agnes Benidickson was the first female chancellor of Queen's University. After graduating from university Richardson joined his family's grain-exporting firm.
Playing career
Richardson played for the Queen's University Golden Gaels from 1903 to 1906, when the team won the Intercollegiate Hockey Union in 1903, and the Canadian Intercollegiate championship in 1904, and 1906. He was known as a gentlemanly player, and an adept goal scorer. He scored five times against Princeton and Yale when Queen's won the 1903 North American collegiate title. The 1906 Queen's team challenged the Ottawa Hockey Club for the Stanley Cup. He was at the Western Front by February 1915. He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Bailleul, Nord in grave 2027, also listed as plot 2, row B, grave 74. He bequeathed $15,000 to Queen's University for art and athletics, $5,000 for bathing facilities in Kingston, $30,000 to city charities, and $30,000 form a trust fund for the education of the children of the married men in his company, that were disabled or killed in battle. The George Taylor Richardson Memorial Fund was established to provide grants for the stimulation of the arts at Queen's University. Richardson Memorial Stadium at Queen's is named in his honour. From 1932 to 1971, The Eastern Canada junior hockey champion won the George Richardson Memorial Trophy, and advanced to the Memorial Cup. Richardson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1950,