William Harrod

RA Collection: People and Organisations

Topographer, was son of a printer and bookseller at Market Harborough, Leicestershire, who was also for many years master of the free school there. After working some time as a journeyman printer in London, Harrod commenced business on his own account at Stamford, Lincolnshire, where he started a newspaper, which he edited and printed without much success, and became an alderman. By 1801 he had removed to Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and after his father’s death in December 1805 (Gent. Mag. vol. lxxv. pt. ii. p. 1179) he returned to his native town of Market Harborough. There a second marriage embroiled him in difficulties which compelled him to relinquish his business. He died in obscurity at Birmingham on 1 January 1819.

Harrod published histories of the three towns in which he successively carried on his business. The titles of these works are: 1. The Antiquities of Stamford and St. Martin’s, compiled chiefly from the Annals of the Rev. Francis Peck, with Notes; to which is added the Present State, including Burghley, 2 vols. 12mo, Stamford, 1785. Harrod was here capably assisted by an eccentric Stamford apothecary named Lowe. 2. The History of Mansfield and its Environs. In two parts: I. Antiquities, including a description of two Roman Villas discovered by H. Rooke, Esqr., 1786. II. The Present State. With plates, 4to, Mansfield, 1801. 3. The History of Market-Harborough in Leicestershire, and its Vicinity, 8vo, 1808. [Source: Wikisource].