George Longman

George Henry Longman (3 August 1852 – 19 August 1938) was an English first-class cricketer, cricket administrator, and publisher. Longman played in nearly seventy first-class matches between 1872 and 1885, scoring nearly 2,500 runs. As a publisher, he was a partner in the family publishing business, Longman.

Early life and education The son of Thomas Longman, he was born in August 1852 at Farnborough, Hampshire. He was educated at Eton College, where he played for the college cricket team, including as captain in 1871. While studying at Cambridge, Longman made his debut in first-class cricket for Cambridge University Cricket Club against the Marylebone Cricket Club at Fenner's during his freshman year, the same year in which he gained his blue by virtue of playing in The University Match against Oxford University at Lord's. He opened the batting alongside Arthur Tabor in the match, sharing in a partnership of 104 in the Cambridge first innings, with Longman contributing 80 runs to help Cambridge win the match by an innings and 166 runs. Longman played first-class cricket for Cambridge until 1875, captaining the university in his last year.

During his studies, he also played first-class cricket for the Gentlemen in the Gentlemen v Players fixtures of 1873, 1874 and 1875. He also played for the Gentlemen of the South against the Players of the South at The Oval in 1873. The following season, he played for the MCC against Cambridge University, in addition to making three appearances for Hampshire. In 1878, he played for the South in the North v South fixture at Lord's, in addition to playing twice for Hampshire and once for the MCC. He was described by The Times as "very keen on fielding", with it being noted that this aspect of his game had greatly improved while he was at Cambridge. The following year, he was appointed Surrey's Honorary Treasurer, a role he held from 1929 until his death. He took up golf in later life. Longman died in his sleep at his Wimbledon Common residence on 19 August 1938, having been in apparent good health. He was survived by his wife, Mary, whom he had married in 1880; they had three children: two sons and a daughter. Their son, Henry, was also a first-class cricketer.