George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea

Rt. Hon. The 9th Earl of Winchilsea.

George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea KG PC FRS (4 November 1752 – 2 August 1826) was an important figure in the history of cricket. His main contributions to the game were patronage and organisation but Winchilsea, an amateur, was also a very keen player.

Early life

Finch was the son of William Finch, 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. His sister was Sophia Finch. His father died in 1766 and he inherited the Winchilsea title in 1769, from a more distant relation. He was 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.

Cricketer

Winchilsea, "who would go anywhere for a game of cricket", 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). This is remarkable given that Winchilsea was already 32 before he even played in a major match. Even so, Winchilsea on the field was something of a liability, despite using a bat that weighed 4 lb 2oz.

Cricket clubs

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. 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.

It was in 1785 that WCC first appeared in a major match. However 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. 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. The first match was on Monday 21 May 1787 was between the White Conduit Club and Middlesex.

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. The Earl of Winchilsea was one of its early leading lights.

Personal life

Lord Winchilsea never married. His illegitimate son George Finch was a politician.

References

• Buckley, G.B. (FL18): Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket.
• Haygarth, Arthur (SBnnn): Scores & Biographies, Volume 1.
• Mote, Ashley (GDC): The Glory Days of Cricket.
• Mote, Ashley: John Nyren's "The Cricketers of my Time".
• Thomson, Arthur Alexander: Odd Men In: A Gallery of Cricket Eccentrics (The Pavilion Library, 1985).
• Waghorn, H.T. (WDC): The Dawn of Cricket.

External links

• From Lads to Lord's; The History of Cricket: 1300 – 1787

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
	Earl of Nottingham 7th creation 1769–1826
Baronetage of England
Preceded by Daniel Finch	Baronet (of Raunston, Buckinghamshire) 1769–1826	Succeeded by George Finch-Hatton
	Baronet (of Eastwell, Kent) 1769–1826