Career
Born at Manchester, Lancashire, he made two appearances in first-class cricket. Earl made his debut in first-class cricket for Lancashire in 1849 against Yorkshire at Sheffield. He made a further appearance in first-class cricket in 1852 for Manchester against Sheffield at Manchester.
In his two matches he scored a total of 43 runs, with a high score of 18, while with the ball he took 2 wickets.
He died at Cheetham Hill, Lancashire on 5 February 1874. His father, John Earl senior, was also a first-class cricketer.