John Hartley (tennis)


John Thorneycroft Hartley was a tennis player from England, and the only clergyman to win Wimbledon.
Hartley won the 1879 Gentlemans Singles title against Irish champion, Vere St. Leger Goold in three sets, retaining his title the following year, 1880, by defeating Herbert Lawford in the Challenge Round, 6–3, 6–2, 2–6, 6–3.
Hartley lost in 37 minutes in the 1881 Gentleman's Singles final, to William Renshaw, 0–6, 1–6, 1–6. This was the shortest final on record and it was reported that Hartley was suffering from an attack of 'English cholera'. Hartley did not compete in the 1882 championships and made a final return at the 1883 championships, losing in the second round to Herbert Wilberforce in four sets.
In 1926, at the Golden Jubilee championships, Hartley was presented with a silver medal by Queen Mary, as one of thirty-four surviving champions.

Family

Hartley was born in 1849, second son of John Hartley and his wife Emma, daughter of ironmaster George Benjamin Thorneycroft of Wolverhampton. His parents were both of south Staffordshire industrial business families, his father's family owned the glass making firm of Hartley Chance & Company of Smethwick, while the Thorneycrofts founded Shrubbery Ironworks in Wolverhampton, in which his father became a partner.
Hartley married Alice Margaret Lascelles Murray, daughter of William Murray, 4th Earl of Mansfield and a granddaughter of Henry Lascelles, 3rd Earl of Harewood, in 1875. They had no children.

Career outside sport

Hartley was the vicar of Burneston, Yorkshire, Rural Dean of East Catterick from 1891 and Honorary Canon of Ripon from 1906. He died at the age of 86 in Knaresborough, Yorkshire, and was buried at Burneston.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (2 titles, 1 runner-up)