John Harrison (1576 – 1656)

Biography

John Harrison was baptised in 1579 at the Leeds parish church and died in 1656 in Leeds. He attended a local free grammar school, then inherited the family business as one of a new generation of Leeds cloth merchants (bringing rich rewards and extensive influence).

Harrison’s success also brought him membership of the self-perpetuating cabal that ruled the town after the grant of the first royal charter of incorporation (July 1626). Following appointment as deputy to the first alderman, Sir John Savile (July to September 1626), Harrison was elected to succeed him.

Among his charitable acts was the rebuilding of the Grammar School, the construction of Church of St John, in Briggate in 1634, and Harrison's Almshouses, Raglan Road.

Context

The statue was unveiled as one of four to celebrate Leeds becoming a city in 1893. It was, officially erected in 1903, the year the layout of the new City Square was completed. The layout of the square was changed in the early 2000s and traffic restricted. Harrison’s and the other three statues were moved to stand near to the old Post Office building which has now been converted to restaurants and apartments. John Harrison was chosen as one of the four due to devoting much of his inherited wealth during his lifetime to supporting the poor of the town.

The statue

Date Erected:
Created: 1899. Erected: 1903

Artist:
Henry Charles Fehr (1867 – 1940)

Commissioned / funded by:
A gift to the city by Councillor Richard Boston, 1903

Format and materials:
Polished granite plinth with a bronze plaque and raised lettering ‘John Harrison1576-1656.’

Location:
Situated in Leeds City Square amongst three other statues of prominent men, Joseph Priestley, Dean Hook, and James Watt. This statue was positioned in front of the Old Leeds Post Office, which was built in a classical style by Sir Henry Tanner. Now closed, the Old Post Office has since been converted into two restaurants looking out onto the square as well as a luxury hotel.

Description:
Harrison’s statue is a bronze sculpture positioned in line with 3 other statues of prominent male figures. Harrison is shown pointing with his right hand, whilst holding a book in his left hand, as well as a handkerchief/ glove. He is depicted with long hair, a large moustache, and a small goatee beard, and wearing typical upper-class clothing of the 16th/ late 17th Century such as breeches and a long frock coat.

The plinth has the following inscription in small, ‘THE GIFT OF COUNCILLOR RICHARD BOSTON 1903.’, followed by ‘JOHN HARRISON 1576 – 1656.' In a much larger font. Harrison’s statue is coupled with the statue of industrialist James Watt.

Sources

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
• R. V. Taylor, Biographia Leodiensis, 91-7.
• Historic England: STATUE OF JOHN HARRISON, Non Civil Parish - 1375039 | Historic England
• Visit Leeds: Leeds City Square - Visit Leeds

[Image by Mtaylor848 via Wikimedia Commons]