Arthur Fielder
A formidable fast bowler whose pace and precision powered Kent's cricket dynasty in the golden age before the First World War.
1877–1949 (age 72)·English cricketer·Birthday: July 19·The Gilded Age
Biography
Arthur Fielder was the engine of one of English county cricket's greatest teams. At the dawn of the 20th century, his raw speed and relentless accuracy made him the spearhead of the Kent bowling attack during their period of utter dominance. Standing tall and generating fearsome bounce, he was a nightmare for batsmen on lively pitches, tearing through line-ups season after season. His efforts were central to Kent securing four County Championship titles, a testament to his consistency and match-winning ability. While his Test career for England was brief, featuring in the storied Ashes contests in Australia, his reputation at home was immense, honored by Wisden in 1907. Fielder's career, which ended with the outbreak of war, symbolizes the peak of pre-war county cricket, where fast bowlers could build legends over long, sun-drenched seasons.
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.
Arthur was born in 1877, 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 Arthur Was Born
The biggest hits of 1877
Arthur's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1877Born
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1882Started school
First electrical power plant opens in New York
President: Chester A. Arthur
1890Became a teenager
Wounded Knee massacre marks the end of the Indian Wars
President: Benjamin Harrison
1893Could drive
World's Columbian Exposition dazzles Chicago
President: Grover Cleveland
1895Could vote
First public film screening by the Lumiere brothers
President: Grover Cleveland
1898Turned 21
Spanish-American War; US emerges as a world power
President: William McKinley
1907Turned 30
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1917Turned 40
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1927Turned 50
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1937Turned 60
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1947Turned 70
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1949Died at 72
NATO founded; Mao proclaims the People's Republic of China
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Riders in the Sky" — Vaughn MonroeBest Picture: All the King's Men
Key Achievements
- Was a key player in Kent County Cricket Club's four County Championship victories (1906, 1909, 1910, 1913).
- Selected as one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 1907 for his outstanding performances.
- Toured Australia twice with the England national team, playing in six Test matches between 1903 and 1908.
- Took over 1,200 first-class wickets at an impressive average during his career.
Did You Know?
He was born in Plaxtol, Kent, and played for his home county for his entire first-class career.
His best bowling figures in an innings were 9 for 41 for Kent against Worcestershire in 1906.
He served in the Royal Navy during the First World War.
After retiring from cricket, he worked as a groundsman at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.
“A good length ball on a green wicket is the bowler's best friend.”
