Sir Robert Leicester Harmsworth, 1st Baronet (1 November 1870 – 19 January 1937) was a British businessman and Liberal politician.

Sir
Leicester Harmsworth
Member of Parliament
for Caithness
In office
1900–1918
Preceded byGavin Brown Clark
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Member of Parliament
for Caithness and Sutherland
In office
1918–1922
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded bySir Archibald Sinclair
Personal details
Born(1870-11-01)1 November 1870
Hampstead, London, England[1]
Died19 January 1937(1937-01-19) (aged 66)
Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England
Resting placeSt Marylebone Cemetery[1]
Political partyLiberal
Spouse
Annie Louisa
(m. 1892)
Children7
Parents
Relatives
EducationSt Marylebone Grammar School
Occupation
  • Businessman
  • politician
  • publisher

Background

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Harmsworth was the fourth son of Alfred Harmsworth, a barrister, and Geraldine Mary, daughter of William Maffet. He received his education at St Marylebone Grammar School. He was the brother of the 1st Viscount Northcliffe, the 1st Viscount Rothermere, the 1st Baron Harmsworth and Sir Hildebrand Harmsworth, 1st Baronet.[1]

Career

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Harmsworth was a director of Amalgamated Press, the publishing company owned by his brother, Lord Northcliffe.[1] In 1900 he was returned to Parliament for Caithness, a seat he held until 1918, and then represented Caithness and Sutherland between 1918 and 1922.[1][2] In 1918 he was created a Baronet, of Moray Lodge in the Royal Borough of Kensington.[1][2]

Harmsworth was an active member of the Sylvan Debating Club, which was founded by his father, and served as its Secretary.

Family

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Harmsworth married Annie Louisa, daughter of Thomas Scott, in 1892. They had four sons and three daughters. He died in January 1937, aged 66, and was succeeded in the baronetcy by his eldest son, Alfred. Lady Harmsworth died in December 1963.[1]

Library

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A portion of his book collection is now owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g thepeerage.com
  2. ^ a b "leighrayment.com". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Caithness
19001918
Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for Caithness and Sutherland
19181922
Succeeded by
Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baronet
(of Moray Lodge)
1918–1937
Succeeded by
Alfred Leicester St Barbe Harmsworth