Harry John Lawson

Henry John Lawson, also known as Harry Lawson, (23 February 1852–12 July 1925) was a British bicycle designer, racing cyclist, motor industry pioneer, and fraudster. As part of his attempt to create and control a British motor industry, Lawson formed and co-floated The Daimler Motor Company Limited in London in 1896. It later began to manufacture in Coventry. Lawson organised the 1896 Emancipation Day drive, now commemorated annually by the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, running over the same course.

Early years Lawson was born on 23 February 1852, in the City of London, the son of Thomas Lawson, a Calvinistic Methodist minister and brass turner, and his wife Anne Lucy Kent.

In 1873, the family moved to Brighton and Lawson designed several types of bicycle. His efforts were described as the "first authentic design of safety bicycle employing chain-drive to the rear wheel which was actually made" and he has been ranked alongside John Kemp Starley as an inventor of the modern bicycle.

In 1879, he married Elizabeth Olliver (b.1850) in Brighton. They had four children, two sons and two daughters.

Lawson retired from the public gaze and died at his home in Harrow, London on 12 July 1925 aged 73.