Frederick Stephens (cricketer)

Frederick Stephens JP (4 February 1836 — 1 April 1909) was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

The son of John Stephens, he was born at Caversham in February 1836. He was educated at Winchester College,[1] before matriculating to Pembroke College, Oxford.[2] After graduating from Oxford, Stephens entered into the Life Guards as a cornet and sub-lieutenant by purchase in March 1861.[3] He purchased the rank of lieutenant in the October of the same year,[4] before purchasing the rank of captain in July 1864.[5] Stephens played first-class cricket in 1865, making a single appearance for the Gentlemen of Marylebone Cricket Club against the Gentlemen of Kent at the Canterbury Cricket Week.[6] Batting twice in the match, he made scores of 9 not out in the Gentlemen first innings, while in their second innings he was dismissed without scoring by William Jervis.[7] Stephens retired from active service in November 1869.[8] He was married to Cecilia Byng, the daughter of a Royal Navy captain, in January 1869. Stephens held the offices of justice of the peace for both Hampshire and Huntingdonshire.[1] He died in Hampshire at Chawton in April 1909. His son, Berkeley, was also a first-class cricketer, as were his nephew's John Byng and Arthur Byng.