Albert Thornton

Albert James Thornton (17 January 1856 – 14 June 1931), born Albert James Lee, was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket between 1879 and 1891. Thornton played mainly for Kent County Cricket Club as well as amateur teams in Kent, Devon, Sussex and Hampshire. He worked as a stockjobber and was the grandson of the 19th century millionaire Richard Thornton.

Early life and professional career Thornton was born at Folkestone in Kent, the second son of Richard Napoleon Thornton and his wife Margaret. He was educated at Winchester College, where he played some cricket, and at St John's College, Oxford before going on to work in the London Stock Exchange. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in one of the volunteer battalions in the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1885. He was awarded his Kent county cap in 1886, a year after his brother Richard Thornton. He also played minor cricket for the Gentlemen of Hampshire.

Thornton was described in his Wisden obituary as a "good and free hitter and a useful lob bowler", batting right-handed and bowling underarm. He made one first-class century, scoring 137 for Kent against Sussex in 1887. Thornton's brothers, Walter and Richard, both played first-class cricket, Richard for Kent and Walter for Oxford University.

Thornton died at Kensington in London in 1931 aged 75.