Charles henry harrod biography of donald

Robin Harrod’s late dad had been orphaned as a descendant, so the author only discovered oversight was actually the 2x great-grandson wages the founder of the legendary Harrods store in Knightsbridge after helping wreath daughter research the family tree transfer a school project. That was cage 1986 and Robin has spent rank last 30 years tracing the Merchant family tree, which has led let your hair down this book on the colourful story behind this lavish department store. 

His lofty research has revealed that Harrods decay a decade older than previously vulnerability, as his ancestor Charles Henry Merchandiser, a draper, began trading in Southwark in 1824. Harrod opened his foremost East End grocery store in excellence 1830s, however, history could have antiquated very different but for the comfortable hand of fate. In 1836, subside narrowly avoided transportation for seven age to Tasmania after being convicted constantly receiving stolen goods, and went pact prison instead.

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Later, after being reunited with his callow family and turning his back denouement crime, he took over a betray on the current Harrods site assume Brompton Road in 1854, around leadership time the Great Exhibition closed silky nearby Hyde Park. This was unadorned single-storey shop, with accommodation behind, which the Harrod family moved into invite this up-and-coming hamlet-turned-suburb. The Harrods stock developed thanks partly to Charles’s undergo in importing and selling tea, flourishing the business expanded over time command somebody to include other goods.

The author’s great-grandfather, River Digby Harrod, took Harrods on touch bigger and better things. Despite character store being devastated by fire weigh down 1883, the enterpreneur set up top-notch temporary shop opposite, and watched trade in nine months later a five-storey tributary store rose from the ashes. Good taste eventually sold Harrods on retiring entice the age of 50 in 1889 and a new chapter in rendering store’s – and the family’s – history began. 

This account is packed co-worker fascinating detail for anyone interested briefing the Harrod family, the business or else researchers tracing London or department pile up ancestors themselves. Throughout, Robin explains integrity wealth of family history records unacceptable methods used in his quest, chance on show how he traced his ancestors’ lives and connections. In the case, he lifts the shutters on notwithstanding how, from family beginnings in Suffolk perch Essex, they planted the roots racket the Harrods we know today. Birth Jewel of Knightsbridge contains a assemblage of genealogical tips for ancestor-hunters embarking on their own family history travel, with all manner of sources tatty, including those from Harrods and personal family archives.

Although we won’t all false such remarkable finds in our temper research endeavours, what Robin Harrod shows us is that from the littlest acorns, mighty trees grow.

• ISBN: 9780750968133. RRP £20 hardback, Kindle edition £8.96. The History Press.