[1] In the University Match of 1871 he took all ten Cambridge University wickets in their first innings, the only time this has been achieved in the fixture, and (as of April 2024) the only time an Oxford bowler has taken ten wickets in any first-class innings.
[2] He was born at Colombo in British Ceylon, the eldest son of Samuel Butler, who bought Combe Hay Manor in 1864.
[1][3][4] Butler resided at Caisson House near Combe Hay Manor, and from around 1881 had a fuller's earth mine nearby.
He was a negligible batsman, managing 256 runs at an average of 9.14, with a highest score of only 31.
"[9] On the strength of his performance in the 1871 University Match, Butler was chosen for the Gentlemen against the Players that year both at Lord's and the Oval, but he did nothing of note with the ball and made a duck in all three of his innings.