William Harvey | |
|---|---|
 Portrait fromFifty Years of Food Reform (1898) | |
| Born | 1787 Whittington, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | (1870-12-25)25 December 1870 (aged 83) Salford, England |
| Burial place | Weaste Cemetery, Salford |
| Occupations |
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| Title | Mayor of Salford |
| Term | 1857–1858 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives |
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William HarveyJP (1787 – 25 December 1870) was an English industrialist,cotton mill owner, deacon, and activist. He was an advocate forparliamentary reform,temperance,vegetarianism andagainst tobacco. Harvey helped found theBible Christian Church and served as deacon from 1809 till his death. He helped establish theVegetarian Society, the Manchester and Salford Temperance Union, and theUnited Kingdom Alliance, serving as President of each organisation. Additionally, he served as Vice President of the Anti-Tobacco Society. Harvey also assisted in foundingSalford City Council and served as one of Salford's firstaldermen from 1844 to 1870. He was electedMayor of Salford in 1857 and 1858.
William Harvey was born inWhittington, Derbyshire, in 1787,[1] the son of ayeoman.[2] Harvey had six siblings includingMartha, who later married their cousinJoseph Brotherton and authored the firstvegetarian cookbook.[3] His niece wasHelen Brotherton.[4] Harvey moved toSalford in 1804 to apprentice under Mr. Railton for cotton spinning, weaving, and printing, and resided with Brotherton.[1]
TheBible Christian Church in King Street, Salford, was central to Harvey's life. He helped found it and served as deacon from 1809 until his death in 1870. Harvey was a committed advocate of the church's principles, including abstaining from meat, alcohol, and tobacco.[1]
In 1810, Harvey partnered with his cousins, Joseph and William Brotherton, as cotton spinners. After Joseph's retirement and William's death in 1819, the company passed to Harvey, who then partnered with Charles Tysoe, a fellow Bible Christian Church member, forming Harvey, Tysoe and Co. Their mill, Brotherton Mill, was located on Canal Street, Oldfield Road. The Christian principles they followed—welfare, no child labour under 13, and a 10-hour maximum workday—were praised inAngus Bethune Reach'sManchester and the Textile Districts in 1849. Harvey's sons and grandsons later joined the business.[1]
Harvey co-founded and presided over theVegetarian Society, the Manchester and Salford Temperance Union, theUnited Kingdom Alliance. He also served as Vice President of the Anti-Tobacco Society.[1] Harvey was the second president of the Vegetarian Society after the death of his son-in-lawJames Simpson. In 1857, Harvey arranged the first recordedteetotal and vegetarian banquet.[5]
Harvey was a member of theLittle Circle, a group of eleven influential early 19th-century Manchester political reformers, including Brotherton, recognised for their grasp of public opinion, involvement in key political issues from 1812 to 1846, and cohesive identity and ideas.[6] Harvey supportedparliamentary reform and attended thePeterloo Massacre in 1819. He was Brotherton's election agent when Salford gained a parliamentary seat in 1832, helping him become Salford's firstMember of Parliament.[1]
An early member of theAnti-Corn Law League, Harvey advocated for a repeal of theCorn Laws. Locally, he was part of the Liberal group that helped establishSalford City Council in 1844. Harvey became a Borough Constable in 1834, aPolice Commissioner in 1843, and was one of Salford's firstaldermen,[1] from 1844 to 1870.[7] He was also ajustice of the peace.[7] Harvey was electedMayor of Salford in 1857 and 1858.[1]
On 19 June 1812, Harvey married Mary Titley atManchester Cathedral. She was born in 1790 inStaffordshire to William and Mary Titley.[1] They had five sons and one daughter.[2] His wife died on 12 October 1857, aged 67.[1]
Harvey was a friend ofWilliam Cobbett.[7]
Harvey continued his prominent role in the Council till his death on 25 December 1870 at his home at 8 Acton Square, Crescent, Salford, at the age of 83. He was buried in the family vault atWeaste Cemetery on 30 December, with Rev.James Clark of the Bible Christian Church officiating.[1]
