<page_title> List of Wimbledon gentlemen's singles champions </page_title> <section_title> Amateur era </section_title> <table> <cell> 1879 <col_header> Year </col_header> </cell> <cell> John Hartley ◊ <col_header> Champion </col_header> </cell> <cell> Vere St. Leger Goold <col_header> Runner-up </col_header> </cell> <cell> 6–2, 6–4, 6–2 <col_header> Score in the final </col_header> </cell> <cell> 1880 <col_header> Year </col_header> </cell> <cell> John Hartley † <col_header> Champion </col_header> </cell> <cell> Herbert Lawford <col_header> Runner-up </col_header> </cell> <cell> 6–3, 6–2, 2–6, 6–3 <col_header> Score in the final </col_header> </cell> </table>
Hartley won the 1879 Gentlemans Singles title against Vere St. Leger Goold in three sets, retaining his title the following year, 1880, by defeating Herbert Lawford 6–3, 6–2, 2–6, 6–3.