Edward Knight (cricketer)

Edward Knight (born Edward Austen 10 May 1794 at Goodnestone, Kent; died 5 November 1879 at Alton, Hampshire) was the nephew of Jane Austen and an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1822 to 1828.

He was the eldest son of Edward Austen Knight, who had added the additional surname of Knight in 1812 when he inherited the Chawton House estate from Thomas Knight. Edward junior inherited Chawton on his father's death in 1852. Knight's brothers, George Thomas, Henry and Brook, son Philip and nephew Gerald Portal all played first-class cricket.

He was a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for Hampshire and served as High Sheriff of Hampshire for 1823-24.

He was associated with Kent and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), of which he was a member. He made 13 known appearances in first-class matches, including 3 for the Gentlemen.

He died in 1879 and was buried in St Nicholas churchyard, Chawton. He had married firstly Mary Dorothea, the daughter of Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bt of Mersham Hatch, Kent and secondly Adela, the eldest daughter of John Portal of Hampshire. He had at least seven children.

Bibliography

• Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volume 1-2 (1744–1840), Lillywhite, 1862

External links

• Player profile: Edward Knight from CricketArchive