Lives in Cricket No 43 - John Jackson

5 Introduction John Jackson was buried at Toxteth Cemetery in Liverpool in 1901. It was not until 2009 that a headstone was erected over the grave. The story appeared in the Liverpool Daily Post which is where I read about it and where my interest in writing a book about Jackson’s life and times originated. I have found it a fascinating journey and I can only hope that I have done justice to this cricketer whose wonderful achievements as a player should never be forgotten. Away from the cricket field John Jackson’s personal life has been something of a mystery to unravel. As he died over 110 years ago at a time when genealogy was not such a popular subject as it is now, the answers to some of the mysteries have been lost in the mists of time. This account of his life has therefore been the subject of some conjecture on my part. He led a fascinating life in which he was, in his pomp, the finest fast bowler in the world and the mysteries of his birth and his sad and lonely death should not be allowed to obscure his achievements as a very fine cricketer. Gerald Hudd Fearnhead March 2016