Description
Eric Midwinter’s W.G. Grace: His Life and Times is a vivid biography of William Gilbert Grace, the towering figure of Victorian cricket whose dominance as a batsman and bowler made him one of the era’s most celebrated sportsmen. Born in 1848 into a cricket-obsessed family in Gloucestershire, Grace transformed the sport from a rural pastime into a major urban spectacle, drawing crowds of up to 20,000 by 1900. Midwinter portrays Grace as a larger-than-life character—barrel-chested, bearded, and shrewd—whose competitive spirit and gamesmanship, like refusing to leave the crease after dismissal, captivated audiences. The book explores his dual life as a medical practitioner and a “shamateur” cricketer who, despite maintaining amateur status, earned more from the game than many professionals, often exploiting his popularity to bend rules and secure financial rewards. Through anecdotes, such as Grace’s infamous “kidnapping” of Australian player Billy Midwinter to play for Gloucestershire, the biography captures his petulant yet magnetic personality and his role in shaping cricket’s early laws, like the introduction of boundaries.
Midwinter also contextualizes Grace’s era, detailing how the Industrial Revolution and increased leisure time fueled cricket’s popularity, with Grace at its heart. The book highlights his triumphs, controversies, and personal life, including his medical career and family tragedies, though some reviewers note it could delve deeper into his non-cricketing life. Published in 1981 by Allen & Unwin, this was the first major biography of Grace in over two decades, enriched with photos and illustrations. Critics praise its engaging exploration of Grace’s colorful character, though some find its narrative occasionally dense. Available at Amazon, AbeBooks, or Etsy (first editions priced around €12.95–£20), it’s a must-read for cricket fans. For more, Simon Rae’s W.G. Grace: A Life or Grace’s own writings offer further depth.
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