George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea KG PC FRS (4 November 1752 – 2 August 1826) was one of the most significant figures in the history of cricket. The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an Order of chivalry, or Knighthood, originating in Medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, known simply as The Royal Society, is a Learned society for science that was founded in 1660 Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 1752 ( MDCCLII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar for European countries but not Great Britain) of Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the For the game see 1826 (board game. Year 1826 ( MDCCCXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries He was the son of William Finch (1731 – 25 December 1766), who was in turn the son of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham (1647–1730), and Charlotte Fermor, daughter of Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret. Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Year 1766 ( MDCCLXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Daniel Finch 2nd Earl of Nottingham 7th Earl of Winchilsea ( July 2 1647 &ndash January 1 1730) son of Heneage Finch 1st Earl of Nottingham His sister was Sophia Finch.
His main contributions to the game were patronage and organisation, but Winchilsea was also a very keen player. Even so, it has to be said that Winchilsea on the field was something of a liability, despite using a bat that weighed 4lb 2oz.
Winchilsea is the winner of the title of Most Recorded Player of the 18th century, though he was far from the best. He has 138 recorded first-class appearances from 1785 to 1800, which just beats George Louch (134), Tom Walker (131), William Bullen (120) and William Beldham (117). George Louch (1746 – 1811 was an English Cricketer and match organiser during the 18th century Tom Walker ( 16 November, 1762 – 1 March, 1831) was an English Cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club and for William Bullen (dates unknown was an outstanding English cricketer throughout the last quarter of the 18th century William Beldham (born 5 February 1766 in Wrecclesham, just outside Farnham in Surrey; died 20 February 1862 at Tilford This is remarkable given that Winchilsea was already 32 before he even played in a major match.
Winchilsea was also a military man and in his younger days he served with the 87th Foot in the American Revolutionary War from 1776 to 1780, finishing as a lieutenant-colonel. The 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers Regiment of Foot was an Infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1793 and amalgamated into the Princess Victoria's (Royal In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots"
In about 1784, Winchilsea was one of the prime movers in the foundation of the White Conduit Club (WCC), so–called because it played on White Conduit Fields. The White Conduit Club, although short-lived was perhaps the most significant club in Cricket history for it bridged the gulf between the rural and rustic Hambledon White Conduit Fields in Islington was an early venue of Major cricket matches and the original home of the White Conduit Club, forerunner of MCC WCC was ostensibly an exclusive club that "only gentlemen" might play for, but the club did employ professionals and one of these was the bowler Thomas Lord, a man who was recognised for his business acumen as well as his bowling ability. Thomas Lord (born in Thirsk, Yorkshire on 23 November 1755 died in West Meon, Hampshire on 13 January 1832 was an
It was in 1785 that WCC as such first appeared in a major match. And so things might have continued except that White Conduit Fields was an open area allowing members of the public, including the rowdier elements, to watch the matches and to voice their opinions on the play and the players. The White Conduit gentlemen were not amused by such interruptions and decided to look for a more private venue of their own.
Winchilsea and Colonel Charles Lennox commissioned Lord to find a new ground and offered him a guarantee against any losses he may suffer in the venture. Charles Lennox 4th Duke of Richmond and Lennox, KG ( 9 December 1764 &ndash August 28, 1819) was a British soldier and So Lord took a lease from the Portman Estate on some land at Dorset Fields in Marylebone, where Dorset Square is now sited; the ground was prepared and opened in 1787. Marylebone (sometimes written St Marylebone or Mary-le-bone, or in archaic use Marybone) is an area of central London, England in The first match was on Monday 21 May 1787 was between the White Conduit Club and Middlesex. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 1787 ( MDCCLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
This was Lord's first ground. It was originally called the New Ground but was soon renamed Lord's Cricket Ground and, since it was in Marylebone, the WCC on relocating there decided to call themselves Marylebone Cricket Club. Lord's Cricket Ground (generally known as Lord's) is a cricket Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC is a private members' club founded in 1787 The Earl of Winchilsea was one of its early leading lights.
External links
References
- Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket by G B Buckley (FL18)
- The Dawn of Cricket by H T Waghorn (WDC)
- Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 by Arthur Haygarth (SBnnn)
- The Glory Days of Cricket by Ashley Mote (GDC)
- John Nyren's "The Cricketers of my Time" by Ashley Mote
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Earl of Exeter |
Lord Lieutenant of Rutland 1779–1826 |
Succeeded by The Marquess of Exeter |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by Daniel Finch |
Earl of Winchilsea 1769–1826 |
Succeeded by George Finch-Hatton |