Harrison, Frederic, 1831-1923

A contemporary of John Ruskin and John Stuart Mill, Frederic Harrison strongly influenced English politics and philosophy in the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth-century. The positivist movement gained prominence through Harrison's political activity, writings and teachings. He was also very active in the labor movement and fought for greater worker's rights in England. Harrison was introduced to positivism as a student at Oxford. Venerating humanity over deity, positivism created controversy in the predominantly Christian England. Harrison was a true believer and champion of the philosophy throughout his life. He published numerous books, articles and introductions to works by other positivists. He resided in England his entire life and continued to publish books into his nineties. He died in Bath, England in 1923.

From the description of Letter and clipping, 1918. (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 46734639

Frederic Harrison, English positivist and author.

From the description of Frederic Harrison manuscript material : 1 item, 1899 (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 301577220

Epithet: Subject of Mss Eur F234

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001244.0x0001c4

Frederic Harrison, 1831-1923, was educated at Kings College, London and Wadham College, Oxford, where he was a Fellow and Tutor from 1854 to 1856. He was called to the Bar in 1858 and held the post of Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law to the Inns of Court, 1877-1889. He was also a member of the Royal Commission on Trades Unions, 1867-1869, Secretary to the Royal Commission for Digesting the Law, 1869-1870, Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society and the London Library, and an alderman of the London County Council, 1889-1893. However, Frederic Harrison is perhaps best known as the president of the English Positivist Committee, a post that he held from 1880 to 1905.

From the guide to the HARRISON, Frederic, 1831-1923, Author and Positivist, 1840-1931, (British Library of Political and Economic Science)

Author and philosopher.

From the description of Letter of Frederic Harrison, 1879. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79450781

English author.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Bath, to Henry Yates Thompson, 1917 Jan. 28. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270870963

English author and positivist philosopher.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Hawkhurst, to Sydney Carlyle Cockerell, 1902 Oct. 9. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270501151

English tutor, lecturer, stage manager.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Haslemere, to Prof. Knight , 1890 July 1. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270501159

A contemporary of John Ruskin and John Stuart Mill, Frederic Harrison strongly influenced English politics and philosophy in the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth-century. The positivist movement gained prominence through Harrison's political activity, writings and teachings. He was also very active in the labor movement and fought for greater worker's rights in England.

Harrison was introduced to positivism as a student at Oxford. Venerating humanity over deity, positivism created controversy in the predominantly Christian England. Harrison was a true believer and champion of the philosophy throughout his life. He published numerous books, articles and introductions to works by other positivists. In 1867 he organized the Positivist Society and co-founded the Positivist Review.

Harrison was also very active in movements for worker's rights. By the 1860s he regularly wrote for the Westminster Review and the Fortnightly Review, both of which he would later edit. He participated in the United Building Trades strike and was appointed by Parliament to the Trades Union Commission in 1862.

He resided in England his entire life and continued to publish books into his nineties. He died in Bath, England in 1923.

From the guide to the Frederic Harrison Letter and Clipping, 1918, (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)