John Wisden: Cricket's answer to 'the word of God'

John Wisden Cricketers’ Almanacks Collection

He thus changed the primary business of his company from selling equipment to publishing. Although the Almanack itself was one of several publications, it is now the oldest, continuously published handbook worldwide.

Media baron Robert Maxwell‘s conglomerate Macdonald acquired and published the ‘Bible of cricket’ in the 1970s, before it changed ownership several times, finally dropping into the lap of Bloomsbury.

In fact, its fame now surpasses that of the man himself!

With the advent of technology, John Wisden & Co. have also branched out into publishing a monthly cricket magazine and have their own website. The Almanack is often referred to as the cricketers’ Bible, and it took a former first class cricketer to compile the various statistics which have now become as famous as the game itself.

For all his achievements in both business and sport, John’s private life was a bit tumultuous. He had been engaged to marry Annie, George Parr’s younger sister, in 1849, but the young lady passed away before the marriage took place. It broke the man, and for the remainder of his life, he stayed a bachelor.

Honest in business, and well-liked and respected by all who knew him, John was always helping out those less fortunate souls he happened to be acquainted with; he purchased the cricketers’ public house at Duncton and placed his friend and colleague James Dean as manager in order that the latter would have an income and a place to live after quitting cricket.

John succumbed to cancer at his London home on April 5, 1884. His innings ended at 57 – a short life span for one who was just beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labours. His elder brother William led the procession of mourners at the Brompton cemetery as the Little Wonder was finally laid to rest.

He may have departed the world over a century ago, but John Wisden’s legacy endures in the publication that bears his name. Since its launch in 1864, there have been 150 editions published – the 2013 issue is the latest one, while the 2003 issue featured former England skipper Michael Vaughan on the cover (in a first).

The book justifies what the man was to everyone – a true Little Wonder.

Happy Birthday, sir!