Edmund Robert Harris
Encyclopedia
Edmund Robert Harris was an English lawyer from Preston, Lancashire, UK who was the principal benefactor of the Harris Museum
, Harris Institute or Art School, Harris Technical School and the Harris Orphanage.
Harris was the son of the Reverend Robert Harris (1764–1862) vicar of St George's Parish Church in Preston and headmaster of the Preston Grammar School. The Reverend Harris was also the librarian of the Dr Richard Shepherd Library and had been involved in a long campaign for the creation of a free public library
and museum
in Preston.
Harris died aged 73 at his home at Whinfield House in Ashton on 27 May 1877 and was buried in a triple coffin in a vault in St Andrews Church, Ashton.
After the death of his father in 1862 and his brother Thomas in 1875, Harris had inherited the family's entire wealth and had no heirs. He left instructions in his will and £300,000 to create a trust that would help support several new institutions in Preston, including a free public library, museum and art gallery. They were all dedicated in memory of his family and in particular his father the Reverend Robert Harris.
The Harris Museum
is the only institution created by the Harris bequest that still exists in its original form. The Harris Institute and Harris Technical School became the University of Central Lancashire
and the university still has the Harris technical school building on Corporation Street as part of its campus. The Harris Institute building on Avenham Lane and Harris Orphanage buildings on Garstang Road are now in private ownership.
The Harris Free Public Library and Museum Endowment Trust still exists to support the work of the Harris Museum and the library.
Harris Museum
The Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Preston Free Public Library is a Grade I listed museum building in Preston and has the largest gallery space in Lancashire, England.- History :...
, Harris Institute or Art School, Harris Technical School and the Harris Orphanage.
Harris was the son of the Reverend Robert Harris (1764–1862) vicar of St George's Parish Church in Preston and headmaster of the Preston Grammar School. The Reverend Harris was also the librarian of the Dr Richard Shepherd Library and had been involved in a long campaign for the creation of a free public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
and museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
in Preston.
Harris died aged 73 at his home at Whinfield House in Ashton on 27 May 1877 and was buried in a triple coffin in a vault in St Andrews Church, Ashton.
After the death of his father in 1862 and his brother Thomas in 1875, Harris had inherited the family's entire wealth and had no heirs. He left instructions in his will and £300,000 to create a trust that would help support several new institutions in Preston, including a free public library, museum and art gallery. They were all dedicated in memory of his family and in particular his father the Reverend Robert Harris.
The Harris Museum
Harris Museum
The Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Preston Free Public Library is a Grade I listed museum building in Preston and has the largest gallery space in Lancashire, England.- History :...
is the only institution created by the Harris bequest that still exists in its original form. The Harris Institute and Harris Technical School became the University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire is a university based in Preston, Lancashire, England.The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. In 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council...
and the university still has the Harris technical school building on Corporation Street as part of its campus. The Harris Institute building on Avenham Lane and Harris Orphanage buildings on Garstang Road are now in private ownership.
The Harris Free Public Library and Museum Endowment Trust still exists to support the work of the Harris Museum and the library.
External links
- Harris Museum & Art Gallery http://www.harrismuseum.org.uk/history-of-the-harris.html
- Harris Library http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/librarydetails/libsearch1.asp?name=preston%20harris
- University of Central Lancashire http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/uclan/index.php