Charles Gilbert Heathcote
Encyclopedia
Charles Gilbert Heathcote (2 March 1841 - 15 November 1915) was an English barrister, tennis
player and amateur painter. He was one of the founders of the All England Club, and played in the first Wimbledon Championships in 1877
Heathcote was born at Conington Castle, Huntingdonshire, the third son of John Heathcote of Conington Castle Huntingdon and his third wife Emily Colbourne. He was educated at Eton College
and was admitted at Trinity College Cambridge on the 6 April 1859. He was a scholar and migrated to Emmanuel College, Cambridge
on 20 June 1863, being awarded an MA in 1866. He was admitted at Inner Temple
on 26 January 1865 and was called to the bar on 18 November 1867. He served on the South Eastern Circuit.
Heathcote was one of the founders of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. He is cited as one of the committee that formulated the rules of tennis in 1877 before the first Wimbledon Championships although according to other sources the Heathcote concerned was his brother John Moyer Heathcote
who was a representative of the MCC
committee. In the 1877 Wimbledon Championship
he reached the semi-final of the Men's singles
when he was defeated by Spencer Gore and lost to William Marshall
in the 3rd place play-off. He played again in 1878
and reached the quarter-finals in 1879
. He last entered in 1880
He was also a member of the Alpine Club
and an amateur artist.
From 1884 to 1902, Heathcote was a Stipendiary Magistrate for Brighton. He acquired Kilmeston Manor, Alresford, Hampshire in 1902and became a J.P.
for Hampshire in 1906.
Heathcote married Lucy Edith Wrottesley, daughter of Hon. Walter Wrottesley on 9 September 1869. His son Walter was a consul in Turkey.
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player and amateur painter. He was one of the founders of the All England Club, and played in the first Wimbledon Championships in 1877
Heathcote was born at Conington Castle, Huntingdonshire, the third son of John Heathcote of Conington Castle Huntingdon and his third wife Emily Colbourne. He was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and was admitted at Trinity College Cambridge on the 6 April 1859. He was a scholar and migrated to Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on the site of a Dominican friary...
on 20 June 1863, being awarded an MA in 1866. He was admitted at Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
on 26 January 1865 and was called to the bar on 18 November 1867. He served on the South Eastern Circuit.
Heathcote was one of the founders of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. He is cited as one of the committee that formulated the rules of tennis in 1877 before the first Wimbledon Championships although according to other sources the Heathcote concerned was his brother John Moyer Heathcote
John Moyer Heathcote
John Moyer Heathcote was an English barrister and real tennis player. He was one of the committee that devised the original rules of lawn tennis and is credited with devising the cloth covering for the tennis ball....
who was a representative of the MCC
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
committee. In the 1877 Wimbledon Championship
1877 Wimbledon Championship
The inaugural Wimbledon Championships was a tennis tournament that took place between 22 competitors. The tournament was held at the All England Club and the final was held in front of 200 people. The spectators paid one shilling each...
he reached the semi-final of the Men's singles
1877 Wimbledon Championship – Singles
Spencer Gore defeated William Marshall, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 in the final to win the inaugural Wimbledon Championships.-Final eight:-Top Half:-Bottom Half:...
when he was defeated by Spencer Gore and lost to William Marshall
William Marshall (tennis)
W.C. Marshall lost the very first Wimbledon final to Spencer Gore 6–1, 6–2, 6–4.Marshall was a defensive player that was no match for the aggressive Gore in the 50 minute final. There was a formally dressed crowd of about 200 who paid a shilling each to stand and watch; there were no bleachers...
in the 3rd place play-off. He played again in 1878
1878 Wimbledon Championship – Singles
P. F. Hadow defeated L. R. Erskine, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 in the All Comers Final, and then defeated the reigning champion Spencer Gore 7-5, 6-1, 9-7 in the Challenge Round to win the 1878 Wimbledon Championships.-All Comers Final eight:-Section 1:...
and reached the quarter-finals in 1879
1879 Wimbledon Championship – Singles
John Hartley defeated V. T. Goold, 6–2, 6–4, 6–2 in the All Comers Final, and then defeated the reigning champion Patrick Francis Hadow by a walk over in the Challenge Round to win the 1879 Wimbledon Championships.-All Comers Final Eight:-Section 1:...
. He last entered in 1880
1880 Wimbledon Championship – Singles
Herbert Lawford defeated O. E. Woodhouse, 6–5, 6–4, 6–0 in the All Comers Final, but the reigning champion John Hartley defeated Lawford, 6–3, 6–2, 2–6, 6–3 in the Challenge Round to win the 1880 Wimbledon Championships.-Finals:-Section 1:-Section 2:...
He was also a member of the Alpine Club
Alpine Club (UK)
The Alpine Club was founded in London in 1857 and was probably the world's first mountaineering club. It is UK mountaineering's acknowledged 'senior club'.-History:...
and an amateur artist.
From 1884 to 1902, Heathcote was a Stipendiary Magistrate for Brighton. He acquired Kilmeston Manor, Alresford, Hampshire in 1902and became a J.P.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for Hampshire in 1906.
Heathcote married Lucy Edith Wrottesley, daughter of Hon. Walter Wrottesley on 9 September 1869. His son Walter was a consul in Turkey.