Richard Harrison

Richard Harrison (1646–1726) was an English politician.

Biography

He was the eldest surviving son of Sir John Harrison of Balls Park, Hertford, Member of Parliament for Lancaster, by his second wife Mary Shotbolt; William Harrison was his half-brother but had predeceased their father in 1643. Richard was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he matriculated in 1663 and was admitted to the Middle Temple that same year.

Harrison was elected Member of Parliament in 1669, and again in 1679. Thought to favour the court in the Exclusion Crisis, he did not support James II on the throne. After the Glorious Revolution he was a non-juror. George (born 1680) was the second surviving son (born fifth), and succeeded Edward as Member of Parliament for Hertford in 1727. Thomas (born 1681), the sixth son, was Member of Parliament for Old Sarum from 1728. Elizabeth married Edward Hughes, Member of Parliament for Saltash, in 1713.