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Harry Kissin

1912 – 1997

British businessman, banker and politician

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About Harry Kissin

Lived 1912 – 1997 (aged 85). Harry Kissin was a British entrepreneur, banker and politician.

Harry Aaron Kissin, Baron Kissin (23 August 1912 – 22 November 1997) was a British businessman and life peer.

Biography Kissin was born in Danzig, the son of a Russian Jewish grain merchant. He was educated in Danzig and at the University of Basel, where he gained a doctorate in law. He qualified as a lawyer in Switzerland in 1933, but moved to London the same year.

A close friend and confidant of Harold Wilson, Kissin was made a life peer on 27 June 1974 as Baron Kissin, of Camden in Greater London. Although he was known to be a Labour supporter, he sat as a crossbencher in the House of Lords.

In 2009, it was revealed that Kissin's name had appeared on a MI5 list of Wilson associates who were considered suspicious because of their links with Eastern Bloc countries. Additionally, MI5 considered Kissin untrustworthy because of his use of prostitutes, and asked the Cabinet Secretary to inform Wilson that Kissin was "obviously not a man to be trusted with confidences".

Kissin was related to the pianist Evgeny Kissin.

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
University of Basel
Positions held
Member of the House of Lords
Also known as
Harry Kissin, Baron Kissin, Harry Aaron Kissin

People in Harry Kissin's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Harry Kissin's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Harry Kissin?

British businessman, banker and politician (1912-1997)

When was Harry Kissin born?

Harry Kissin was born on 23 August 1912 in Gdańsk.

When did Harry Kissin die?

Harry Kissin died on 22 November 1997.

What was Harry Kissin's occupation?

Harry Kissin was an entrepreneur, banker and politician.

What nationality was Harry Kissin?

Harry Kissin was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Harry Kissin

· Wikidata: Q15858413

· DBpedia: Harry Kissin, Baron Kissin

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Harry Kissin. https://biography.guide/harry-kissin/

MLA: "Harry Kissin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/harry-kissin/.

Chicago: "Harry Kissin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/harry-kissin/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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