Richard Spencer, one of the leading solicitors in the Cardiff area during the mid-Victorian era, made one appearance for Glamorganshire, against Carmarthenshire at Llanelly House in 1861. However, he made little impact in the game and bagged a pair.
Cricket Archives.
His first appearance in a major match had come five years before at The Gnoll where he was one of the guest players drafted in by the Neath club for their match against the All-England Eleven in 1856. His final match of note came in 1875 when he played for the Gentlemen of East Glamorgan against their counterparts from the West at Merthyr Mawr.
Born in the Cardiff suburb of Whitchurch and educated at Cowbridge Grammar School, Richard initially worked as a solicitor in Llandaff before becoming a partner in the firm of Corbett, Spencer and Evans.
He also served as Honorary Solicitor to Cardiff Waterworks Company with his legal actions helping to improve sanitary conditions in the rapidly expanding town. Richard was also a member of the MCC and lived initially at Llandough House before moving to The Old House in Llandaff. He struggled with poor health during the late 1890s and died in a health spa in Monte Carlo in February 1901 having spent time in the vicinity of the Mediterranean in a bid to improve his health after a minor stroke.
His grandson was Charles Spencer who played for Glamorgan in 1925 besides appearing for Oxford University.
SPENCER, Richard Evans
b. Whitchurch, Cardiff 1834.
d. Monte Carlo, 22 February 1901.