Harold Stuart Thompson was born son of William T. Thompson and Agnes M. Fitzroy Thompson in 1870. He studied at Sidcot and Bootham schools, excelling in botany and physical geography. He devoted his life to the study and collection of wild flowers, and toured extensively throughout Europe, particularly Switzerland, in order to obtain specimens. He was Honorary Secretary of the Watson Botanical Exchange Club, an associate of the Linnean Society, and a member of University Court at the University of Bristol. He died on March 3, 1940, aged 69.
From the guide to the Harold Stuart Thompson Collection, 1842-1940, (University of Bristol Information Services - Special Collections)