Harry Altham

Harry Surtees Altham (30 November 1888 – 11 March 1965) was an English first-class cricketer who became an important figure in the game as an administrator, historian and coach. He was born in Camberley in November 1888. Shortly after completing his education in 1908, Altham played first-class cricket for Surrey, prior to his matriculation to Trinity College, Oxford. There, he played first-class cricket for Oxford University Cricket Club from 1909 to 1912, gaining two blues.

After graduating from Oxford, he became a schoolmaster at Winchester College, where he would be employed for more than thirty years. Altham served with distinction in the First World War with the King's Royal Rifle Corps, being awarded the Military Cross and appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Following the war, he played county cricket for Hampshire, and after retiring from playing he became a noted administrator and historian.

As a historian, he is best known for publishing four editions of A History of Cricket between 1926 and 1962. In an administrative capacity, he held the presidencies of both Hampshire and the Marylebone Cricket Club, in addition to being a Test selector for the England cricket team in 1954. Altham died from a heart attack two-hours after addressing a cricket society in Sheffield on 11 March 1965. Wisden posthumously described him as "among the best known personalities in the world of cricket".

Early life The son of the British Army officer Edward Altham Altham and his Scottish wife, Georgina Emily Nicol, Altham was born on 30 November 1888 in Yorktown in Camberley. He was educated at Repton School, where he captained the cricket eleven. A member of what was considered the best English school eleven of all time, A month after completing his final year at Repton, Altham made his debut in first-class cricket for Surrey, playing a single match against Leicestershire in the 1908 County Championship. From Repton, he matriculated to Trinity College, Oxford.

Altham made six first-class appearances for Oxford in 1911, gaining a blue by playing in The University Match against Cambridge at Lord's, Serving on the Western Front, his probationary period finished in January 1915, with promotion to lieutenant following a fortnight later. He was seconded to the staff in March 1915, during which he was promoted to captain in May 1915. Altham was awarded the Military Cross in December 1916. He was made a temporary major in February 1918, before being appointed a Companion to the Distinguished Service Order in May 1918. He was mentioned in despatches on three occasions during the war. an appointment he relinquished the following month. He resigned his commission in January 1920, at which point he was granted the rank of major.

Later playing career Altham resumed playing first-class cricket in August 1919, when he played as an amateur for Hampshire against Middlesex in the 1919 County Championship; making nine appearances in the latter half of the season. with him making eight appearances in the County Championship. Eight years later, Altham returned to first-class cricket when he played for the Gentlemen of England against the touring New Zealanders. For Hampshire, he made 24 appearances and scored 713 runs at an average of 22.28.

Administration and coaching Alongside coaching at Winchester College, Altham was a prominent figure in nationwide youth coaching. He was a founding member of the English Schools Cricket Association,

Altham served on the MCC Committee from 1941 until his death in 1965. he remained president until his death.

Selected works Altham, Harry; Arlott, John (1957). Hampshire County Cricket: The Official History of Hampshire County Cricket Club. London: Phoenix House. OCLC 958737412. A History of Cricket (1 ed.). London: George Allen & Unwin. 1926. OCLC 1221577585. Altham, Harry; Swanton, E. W. (1938). A History of Cricket (2 ed.). London: George Allen & Unwin. OCLC 557645553. Altham, Harry; Swanton, E. W. (1947). A History of Cricket (3 ed.). London: George Allen & Unwin. OCLC 6168369. Warner, Sir Pelham (1948). Introduction. A History of Cricket. By Altham, Harry; Swanton, E. W. (4 ed.). London: George Allen & Unwin. OCLC 1244779964. Altham, Harry; Swanton, E. W. (1962). A History of Cricket. Vol. 1–2 (5 ed.). London: George Allen & Unwin. OCLC 894274808. Altham, Harry; Arlott, John (1967). The Pictorial History of Lord's and the MCC. London: Pitkins Pictorials. OCLC 255758048.

Personal life and death Altham was a schoolmaster and a cricket coach at Winchester College for more than thirty years, retiring from the post in 1947. From 1927, he was also the housemaster of Chernocke House until his retirement. He was a renowned after-dinner speaker, being invited to speak at both the centenary dinners for Hampshire and Yorkshire. Altham was buried at the Morn Hill Cemetery in Winchester. Wisden posthumously described him as "among the best known personalities in the world of cricket". According to Swanton in his obituary for The Daily Telegraph: "He was a man of deep and abiding loyalties, with a wonderful facility, which his wife shared, of inspiring the friendship and affection of the young." He went on to ask: "Have MCC ever had so 'compleat' a cricketer in their seat of honour?"