Dr W. G. Grace LRCP MRCS
(1848-1915)
cricketer, Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (from 1879), Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (from 1879), and Doctor of Medicine (from 1879)
Died aged 67
Wikidata WikipediaWilliam Gilbert Grace MRCS LRCP (18 July 1848 – 23 October 1915) was an English amateur cricketer who was important in the development of the sport and is widely considered one of its greatest players. He played first-class cricket for a record-equalling 44 seasons, from 1865 to 1908, during which he captained England, Gloucestershire, the Gentlemen, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the United South of England Eleven (USEE), and several other teams. Right-handed as both batsman and bowler, Grace dominated the sport during his career. His technical innovations and enormous influence left a lasting legacy. An outstanding all-rounder, he excelled at all the essential skills of batting, bowling and fielding, but it is for his batting that he is most renowned. He is held to have invented modern batsmanship. Usually opening the innings, he was particularly admired for his mastery of all strokes, and his level of expertise was said by contemporary reviewers to be unique. He generally captained the teams he played for at all levels because of his skill and tactical acumen. Grace came from a cricketing family: E. M. Grace was one of his elder brothers and Fred Grace his younger brother. In 1880, they were members of the same England team, the first time three brothers played together in Test cricket. Grace took part in other sports also: he was a champion 440-yard hurdler as a young man and played football for the Wanderers. In later life, he developed enthusiasm for golf, lawn bowls, and curling. He qualified as a medical practitioner in 1879. He was nominally amateur as a cricketer, but he is said to have made more money from his cricketing activities than any professional cricketer. He was an extremely competitive player and, although he was one of the most famous men in England, he was also one of the most controversial on account of his gamesmanship and moneymaking.
DbPedia
Commemorated on 7 plaques
W. G. Grace (1848-1915) cricketer lived here
Fairmount Residential Care Home, Mottingham Lane, Bromley, United Kingdom where they lived
Dr. W. G. Grace cricketer lived here 1894-6
15 Victoria Square, Clifton, Bristol, United Kingdom where they lived
Victoria Cricket Ground This ground was opened by Dr. W. G. Grace on the 21st June 1897. The original pavilion was given to the club by Sir James Agg-Gardner, the well known local benefactor. The Cheltenham "Looker-On" reported at the time "the ground is four acres and a half in extent and cost in laying out about seven hundred pounds". In 1963 the west end of the ground was sold to finance the existing pavilion. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has used the Victoria Ground for first class fixtures over the years, the most recent being between Gloucestershire and the Indian touring team in May 1986.
Pavilion, Victoria Cricket Ground, Cheltenham, United Kingdom where they opened
W. G. Grace 1848-1915 cricketer lived in a house on this site
7-16 Cricketers Walk, Lawrie Park Road, Crystal Palace, London, United Kingdom where they lived
England's most famous cricketer W. G. Grace played on this pitch in 1867 but was bowled out for a mere three runs
Silver Street, Wells, United Kingdom where they played (1867)
This plaque honours the match played between England and Australia at The Oval, from the 6th-8th September 1880 the first test match on English soil England won by five wickets W. G. Grace scored 152, becoming England's first centurion
Hobbs Gate, The Oval, Kennington Oval, London, United Kingdom where they played (1880)
Doctor William Gilbert Grace MRCS LRC [full inscription unknown]
Easton Leisure Centre, Stapleton Road, Bristol, United Kingdom where they worked