William Franks (cricketer) facts for kids

William Franks (23 July 1820 – 8 February 1879) was an English man who played first-class cricket. He was also a barrister, which is a type of lawyer.

About William Franks

William Franks was born in July 1820 in a town called Hatfield in Hertfordshire, England. He lived until February 1879.

His Education

William went to a famous school called Harrow School. After that, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, which is part of the University of Cambridge. He also studied law at a place called the Inner Temple in London. In 1846, he officially became a barrister, meaning he could work as a lawyer.

Cricket Career

William Franks loved cricket. He played for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from 1845 to 1848. This club is very important in cricket history. He played in seven "first-class" cricket matches. First-class cricket is the highest level of the game. In these matches, he scored a total of 44 runs. His highest score in one game was 16 runs. He also caught two balls.

Public Service

Besides cricket and law, William Franks also helped his community. He worked twice as a private secretary for the Marquess of Salisbury. This important person lived at Hatfield House. William worked for him in 1852 and again from 1858 to 1859.

William also held two important local roles in Hertfordshire. He was a deputy lieutenant, which is a representative of the King or Queen in a county. He was also a justice of the peace. This meant he helped keep law and order in the local area. He was also a captain in the Hertfordshire Militia. This was a group of citizens trained to help defend the country.

William Franks passed away in February 1879 in St Leonards-on-Sea, after being ill for a long time.