Alec Hearne
A Kentish all-rounder whose single Test cap belied a stellar county career, earning Wisden's highest honor in 1894.
1863–1952 (age 89)·English cricketer·Birthday: July 22·The Gilded Age
Biography
Born into cricket's aristocracy, Alec Hearne was steeped in the game from birth. His father and brothers all played at the highest levels, setting a formidable standard. Hearne carved his own path as a professional for Kent County Cricket Club, becoming a fixture at the Mote Ground in Maidstone for over two decades. Though his England career was limited to a single Test match against Australia in 1892, his true legacy was written in county cricket. A genuine all-rounder, he was as reliable with his right-arm medium pace as he was with his bat, a combination that made him a cornerstone of Kent's successes. His consistent excellence was formally recognized when Wisden, the sport's bible, named him one of its Five Cricketers of the Year in 1894, a testament to his influence during the previous English summer. Hearne's life was a testament to the professional cricketer's grind, a long and dedicated service that helped shape the identity of his county.
The Gilded Age
1860–1882
Born during or after the Civil War, they built industrial America — the railroads, the steel mills, the first skyscrapers. An era of massive wealth, massive inequality, and the belief that the future belonged to whoever could build it fastest.
Alec was born in 1863, placing them squarely in The Gilded Age. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alec Was Born
The biggest hits of 1863
Alec's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1863Born
President: Abraham Lincoln
1868Started school
President: Andrew Johnson
1876Became a teenager
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1879Could drive
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1881Could vote
President: Chester A. Arthur
1884Turned 21
President: Chester A. Arthur
1893Turned 30
World's Columbian Exposition dazzles Chicago
President: Grover Cleveland
1903Turned 40
Wright brothers achieve first powered flight
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1913Turned 50
The Federal Reserve is established
President: Woodrow Wilson
1923Turned 60
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1933Turned 70
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1943Turned 80
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1952Died at 89
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
Key Achievements
- Named one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 1894 for his performances in the 1893 season.
- Played first-class cricket for Kent County Cricket Club for 22 seasons, from 1884 to 1906.
- Made his sole Test match appearance for England against Australia at The Oval in 1892.
- Scored over 13,000 first-class runs and took more than 1,100 wickets in his career.
Did You Know?
He was part of a remarkable cricketing dynasty; his father, two brothers, and a cousin all played Test cricket.
His brother, George Hearne, played Test cricket for both England and South Africa.
He played his entire county career for Kent, never representing another first-class county.
“A good length ball on off-stump after tea is as fine a thing as exists.”
