Arthur Newton

Who was Arthur Newton?

Arthur Edward Newton, born at Barton Grange, Corfe, Taunton, Somerset on 12 September 1862 and died at Dipford House, Trull, Somerset on 15 September 1952, played cricket for Somerset in the county's pre-first-class days and then for more than 20 years after the team entered the County Championship in 1891. He also played for Oxford University and for a variety of amateur teams. As a cricketer, he was known as "A. E.", not by his forename.

Newton was a right-handed lower order batsman and a wicket-keeper. Educated at Eton College, he played in the Lord's matches against Harrow School for three years and then went to Oxford University, where he appeared in the freshmen's trial match in 1882. But he did not get into the university team until 1885, when he made his first-class debut in the match against Lancashire. In his third match, batting at No 9, he made 57 against Surrey. He retained his place as wicket-keeper to win his blue in the University match against Cambridge at Lord's.