Group    From 1566 

Bedford Charity

Categories: Education

Created by a gift of land by Sir William Harpur to the corporation of Bedford. A merchant from Bedford he had come to London and done so well that he was Lord Mayor in 1561. The following year he purchased 12 acres of land that had belonged to Charterhouse and in 1566 he and his wife Alice gave the property to the Bedford Corporation to support education in Bedford.

The charity has been renamed the Harpur Trust and still owns properties within the original Harpur estate and still supports education in Bedford.

We learnt all this from the resourceful A London Inheritance where there are maps showing the extent of the estate and photos of 5 other extant Bedford Charity markers. 

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Bedford Charity

Commemorated ati

Mrs. Eliz. Doughty and the Bedford Charity

These plaques mark property boudaries and identify ownership.

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Henry Armriding

Henry Armriding

We have found references to Henry Armriding as a member of the Ealing District Council in 1899, 1908 and 1919. He was Mayor of Ealing 1916-17. Our colleague, Andrew Behan, states that Henry Armrid...

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1 memorial
William Johnson Cory

William Johnson Cory

Teacher, scholar and poet. Born Devon as William Johnson. As assistant master at Eton College, 1845 - 1872, he composed the words for the Eton Boating Song. In 1850 he published a collection of ...

Person, Education, Poetry

1 memorial
Pimlico Grammar School

Pimlico Grammar School

Architect was J.P. Gandy Deering.  The British Museum's drawing is from 1832. Built as a non-conformist private academy for boys but the school only lasted a few years. ‘Ian Fleming’ by Andrew Lyc...

Building, Education, Property

1 memorial
William Cawthorne Unwin

William Cawthorne Unwin

Civil and mechanical engineer.  Born Essex.  1900 he became the first London University professor of engineering. Died unmarried, at his home, 7 Palace Gate Mansions, 29 Palace Gate.

Person, Education, Engineering

2 memorials
Eton Boating Song

Eton Boating Song

Written by William Johnson Cory. First performed in 1863, the first verse goes:. . . . Jolly boating weather, And a hay harvest breeze, Blade on the feather, Shade off the trees,...

Media, Education, Music / songs

1 memorial