George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea
George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea, 4th Earl of Nottingham KG PC FRS (* November 4, 1752; † August 2, 1826 ) was a British nobleman, one of the most important figures in the history of cricket and the first President of the Royal Institution of Great Britain and recipient of the Order of the Garter was.
Life and work
George Finch was born as the son of William Finch, who in turn was the son of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham, was, and his wife Charlotte Fermor, a daughter of Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret. His only sister was Sophia Finch.
Prior to his cricket career Winchilsea served in the British Army and took part with his regiment of infantry at the American War of Independence 1776-1780. He left the army with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
His impact on the sport is primarily based on his role as a patron and official, although he was also a very dedicated cricketer. Although he used a very heavy bat of more than 1.8 kg, but he was in the field as a weak point of his team.
Although he was not considered one of the best cricket player by far, he was recognized in his team as a leader and brought it to 138 first-class missions. He is the player with the most well-known today operations of the 18th century, what is even more remarkable because he took part until the age of 32 on his first major game (major match).
Winchilsea was co-founder of the White Conduit Club (WCC ) and the later it emerged Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC ). The WCC owed its name to the fact that the games were played on the White Conduit Fields in Islington. The WCC saw itself as an exclusive club, although only for gentlemen, but actually played for him also professional cricketers. One of them was the bowler ( pitcher ) Thomas Lord, who was both a capable businessman as well as an excellent launcher.
The White Conduit Club came as such for the first time in 1785 in an important game on. So it could go in the future, in principle, had it not been the fact that the White Conduit Fields were a universally accessible terrain. Therefore disturbed by the rougher elements of the public sentient gentlemen took the decision to look for a new, quieter and more exclusive and in particular venue.
Along with Colonel Charles Lennox he instruct the mainly because came to fame Thomas Lord trying to find a new play area. Where they promised to secure it against all financial risks. Lord then leased a piece of land in Marylebone in London, at the point where Dorset Square can be found today. The course was opened on 21 May 1787 a match between the White Conduit Club and Middlesex. This was the first Lords Cricket Ground and originally called New Ground, but soon renamed to Lord's Cricket Ground. And since it was located in Marylebone, it was close, according to rename White Conduit Club in Marylebone Cricket Club. The Earl of Winchilsea was one of the leaders in its early years. However, at least two games are known in which teams under the names of these two clubs competed against each other.
As a founding member George Finch was elected in 1799 as the first President of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. In addition, he was since May 7, 1807 Fellow of the Royal Society.