Leicester Harmsworth

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 by	Gavin Brown Clark
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Member of Parliament for Caithness and Sutherland
In office 1918–1922
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Sir Archibald Sinclair
Personal details
Born	(1870-11-01)1 November 1870 Hampstead, London, England[1]
Died	19 January 1937(1937-01-19) (aged 66) Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England
Resting place	St Marylebone Cemetery[1]
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Annie Louisa ​ (m. 1892)​
Children	7
Parents	Alfred Harmsworth (father) Geraldine Maffett (mother)
Relatives	Cecil Harmsworth, 1st Baron Harmsworth (brother) Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe (brother) Harold Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Rothermere (brother) Hildebrand Harmsworth, 1st Baronet (brother) St John Harmsworth (brother)
Education	St Marylebone Grammar School
Occupation	Businessman politician publisher

Background

Harmsworth was the fourth son of Alfred Harmsworth, a barrister, and Geraldine Mary Maffett, 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

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

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

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