Robert Henry Lyttelton was an English cricketer who appeared in seven first-class matches between 1873 and 1880.
18 Facts About Robert Lyttelton
1.
2.
Robert Lyttelton published two books about cricket and collaborated with others on two more.
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Robert Henry Lyttelton was born in Westminster, London on 18 January 1854, the sixth son of George Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton and his first wife Mary, nee Glynne.
4.
Robert Lyttelton was educated at Eton, where he excelled as a sportsman.
5.
Robert Lyttelton was in Oppidan Wall and Keeper of Fives, and played a number of cricket matches for the school during his time there.
6.
Robert Lyttelton did not play for Cambridge University, but six of his seven first-class matches were played against the University at Fenner's.
7.
Robert Lyttelton made his debut in first-class cricket in 1873 for an "England XI", batting at number ten in the first innings, in which he scored two runs, and opening the batting in the second innings, remaining not out with three runs when his team achieved victory; fellow opener Charles Thornton scored 27 runs in the innings.
8.
Robert Lyttelton reached his highest score in first-class matches the following year for the same side, scoring 27 runs while batting at number ten.
9.
Robert Lyttelton did not appear in first-class cricket in 1875, but returned to Cambridge in 1876, the year after his graduation, to appear for the Gentlemen of England.
10.
The Times said of him, "'Bob' Robert Lyttelton, though not famous as a cricketer like some of his brothers owing to a certain slowness of foot, was a close student and an able critic of the game".
11.
Robert Lyttelton played for the "Gentlemen of Worcestershire", a forerunner to Worcestershire County Cricket Club, and made his debut for them in a match against the "Gentlemen of Herefordshire" while still at Eton.
12.
Robert Lyttelton played alongside three of his brothers during this match; Neville; Arthur and Edward.
13.
Robert Lyttelton was a strong believer that blocking the wicket with the legs was unsportsmanlike, and battled to outlaw the manoeuvre for over thirty years, even going so far as suggesting that if the ball strikes any part of the batsman at all in front of the stumps then he should be given out.
14.
On 14 July 1884 Robert Lyttelton married the concert singer Edith Santley, daughter of the baritone Charles Santley.
15.
Robert Lyttelton retired from professional singing at the age of 24 when she married.
16.
Robert Lyttelton joined the Birmingham law firm Brabazon Campbell in 1888, and in 1902 moved to London, joining the solicitors Stow, Preston and Co, which became Stow, Preston and Robert Lyttelton.
17.
Robert Lyttelton did all the family business and cost them thousands through his blundering.
18.
Robert Lyttelton died on 7 November 1939 in North Berwick in Scotland.