Grace, WILLIAM GILBERT

Grace, WILLIAM GILBERT, cricketer, was born 18th July 1848, at Downend near Bristol, fourth son of the village doctor; was a very distinguished cricketer by 1864, and soon was by far the foremost of cricketers, not merely playing in the great matches at home but making cricketing tours in Canada and the United States (1871), and Australia (1873). He studied medicine mainly at Bartholomew's Hospital (1875-78), and took L.R.C.P. at Edinburgh in 1879, whereupon he settled in practice at Bristol—finding time also for many a brilliant exhibition of his favourite game. He received a testimonial of £1400 in 1879, and in 1895, when he received one of over £5000, he had scored a century a hundred times. He published Cricket in 1891, and resigned the captaincy of the Gloucestershire eleven in 1899. His four brothers, all doctors, were also famous cricketers, especially George Frederick (1850-80). See his Cricketing Reminiscences (1899).