About William Harpur
Lived 1496 – 1574 (aged 77–78). William Harpur was a merchant.
Sir William Harpur ( – 27 February 1574) was an English merchant and philanthropist who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1561. Born in Bedford, he moved to London and amassed a large fortune. In 1566, Harpur and his wife Alice gave a financial endowment to support several charities including ones focused on education.
The name Harpur is borne today by the estate office, a street in London, a street in Bedford, the Harpur electoral ward of Bedford, a hospital ward, a group of almshouses, the Harpur Suite (former assembly rooms by the Central Library), and a shopping centre.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was William Harpur?
Lord Mayor of London, 1561
When was William Harpur born?
William Harpur was born in 1496.
When did William Harpur die?
William Harpur died on 27 February 1574.
What was William Harpur's occupation?
William Harpur was a merchant.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Harpur. https://biography.guide/william-harpur/
MLA: "William Harpur." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-harpur/.
Chicago: "William Harpur." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-harpur/.
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