- Date of Birth16 / 01 / 1879
- Died05 / 12 / 1943
- Lions Tours1903
- International CapsScotland / Lions
- Lions Origin SchoolsEdinburgh Academy
- Lions Origin ClubsEdinburgh Academicals
John ‘Jimmy’ Gillespie played his club rugby for Edinburgh Academicals and first appeared for Scotland before the turn of the 20th century, when in 1899 he scored a try on debut in victory over England.
The half-back was a proficient try-scorer for his country and had crossed five times in eight games before he was invited on the 1903 Tour with the Lions.
Also proficient with his boot, Gillespie was successful with two conversions in the drawn 10-10 first Test with South Africa.
In total Gillespie scored 29 points through 19 games in South Africa and after ending his Scotland career in 1904, stayed in the game as a referee.
A chartered accountant by trade, he notably refereed two games between Wales and England.