Alfred Harmsworth

Alfred Harmsworth (3 July 1837 – 16 July 1889) was a British barrister, and the father of several of the United Kingdom's leading newspaper proprietors, five of whom were honoured with hereditary titles – two viscounts, one baron and two baronets. Another son designed the iconic bulbous Perrier mineral water bottle.

Early life Alfred Harmsworth was born on 3 July 1837 in Marylebone, London, the only son of Charles Harmsworth and Hannah Carter.

They lived in Dublin until 1867, when they moved to London, initially to St John's Wood, and later to Hampstead when the family's fortunes declined, in part due to Harmsworth's "fondness for alcohol", although they were always short of money, in part due to having so many children.

The Harmsworths had 14 children (ten sons and four daughters), three of whom died in infancy:

Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe (1865–1922) Geraldine Adelaide Hamilton Harmsworth (1866–1945), married Sir Lucas White King, mother of Cecil Harmsworth King He has been described as an "unsuccessful" barrister. It was not until after his death that the press empire created by his sons "really took off". Harmsworth was the founder of the Sylvan Debating Club, for which he served as Secretary for a number of years.

Death Harmsworth died on 16 July 1889. He is buried at East Finchley Cemetery. He died of cirrhosis of the liver, as did his son Hildebrand, both in their 50s.