John Wisden (1826-1884)
‘The Little Wonder’: cricketing champion and founder of Wisden’s Almanack.
Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack
John Wisden, the first class cricketer, is buried in the cemetery. He is best remembered for founding the Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack in 1864.
This is probably the most famous, and the oldest continuously published, sports handbook in the world.
The Little Wonder
John, who was only 5ft 6” (1.68m), was known as ‘The Little Wonder’. He was born and educated in Brighton but, when his father died, John went to live with the renowned cricketer Tom Box. He made his cricketing debut for Sussex aged 18.
Talented cricketer
His talent was obvious. He was a brilliant fast bowler and one of the greatest all-rounders. John is the only man to date to have bowled out all ten batsmen in a first class innings.
He also played for the ‘All England XI’, and was part of the England team who took part in the world’s first overseas cricket tour, to Canada and America, in 1859.
Harrow school
John also found time to be a cricket coach at Harrow School, and to start making and selling sporting equipment. He also owned a pub – fittingly called The Cricketers – in Sussex.
John retired in 1863, aged just 37, with rheumatism. He concentrated on his various businesses and, the following year, produced the first edition of Wisden’s Cricketers Almanack. It proved hugely popular and has been published every year since.