John Moyer Heathcote

Who was 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.

Heathcote was born in London, the eldest son of John Heathcote of Conington Castle, Huntingdonshire, and his third wife Emily Colbourne. He was a descendant of Lord Ancaster of Conington Castle. He was educated at Eton College and was admitted at Trinity College Cambridge on the 8 October 1851. He was awarded an MA in 1856, but also began playing real tennis at Cambridge. He was admitted at Lincoln's Inn on 27 March 1856 and was called to the bar on 17 November 1859. He served on the Northern Circuit.

Heathcote played real tennis regularly at a court in James Street Haymarket from 1856 to 1866. His chief professional teacher and opponent was Edmund Tompkins, for some years champion of tennis. Heathcote became amateur champion in about 1859.