# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Harvey, Thomas (1812-1884)

​HARVEY, THOMAS (1812–1884), quaker, was born at Barnsley in Yorkshire in 1812, his parents being members of the Society of Friends. In 1822 he was sent to ​the Friends' school at Ackworth, Yorkshire, where he remained for about three years. Shortly after leaving school he was apprenticed to W. and T. Southall, chemists and druggists of Birmingham, and during his apprenticeship made the acquaintance of Joseph Sturge [q. v.] He subsequently commenced business as a chemist in Leeds. From his youth Harvey took great interest in philanthropic movements, and in 1836 he accompanied Sturge to the West Indies to make inquiries into the condition of the negroes in the English colonies, visiting Antigua, Montserrat, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbadoes, and Jamaica. He returned in the following year, and in 1838 published, together with Sturge, a lengthy report. He gave much time to promoting measures for the relief of the recently emancipated slaves, then in a deplorable condition. In the autumn of 1856 Harvey accompanied Sturge to Finland. While the British fleet was stationed on the Baltic, much damage had been done to the property of the unarmed inhabitants, in spite of the disapproval of the admirals. Sturge published a report of this visit in the same year, and with Harvey formed a committee, which raised, chiefly from members of the Society of Friends, a sum of 9,000l. for the natives. Harvey and Sturge were thanked by the czar. In 1866 Harvey again visited Jamaica, accompanied by Thomas Brewin, to inquire into the ‘Gordon’ riots of 1865, and to distribute among the sufferers funds subscribed by the British Friends. In 1867 Harvey published a narrative of his tour, and, accompanied by Isaac Robson (d. 1885), made a journey to the colonies of Mennonites in Southern Russia, who suffered for their religious scruples against bearing arms. Harvey superintended the removal of a great part of the Mennonites to Canada, where the Friends found means for their settlement. In 1867 Harvey retired from business, and devoted himself to philanthropic and charitable work in Leeds and elsewhere. For many years he acted as honorary secretary of the institution for blind and deaf mutes. In May 1884 the London yearly meeting of the Society of Friends appointed Harvey with two colleagues as a deputation to their co-religionists in Canada, among whom there existed doctrinal differences. The mission was successful, but the labour injured his already feeble health. He died on 25 Dec. at his residence at Headingley, near Leeds. He was buried four days later in the Friends' burial-ground at Adel, near Leeds. He left a widow and one son.
Harvey was a man of considerable scientific acquirements, a good classical and Hebrew scholar, and a conscientious student even in his old age. He was as remarkable for severe integrity in business as for his gentleness and refinement in private life. He was a member of the Leeds school board during its earlier years, and was always a zealous promoter of education. A clear and simple speaker and efficient preacher, he was also a frequent contributor to the organs of the sect to which he belonged. Besides the works before mentioned he wrote: 1. ‘The Hebrew Dispensation a Light to the Gentle World,’ in 2 pts., n.d. 2. ‘On the Book of Job; its Place in the General Plan of Holy Scripture,’ n.d.
[Richard's Memoirs of Joseph Sturge; Leeds Mercury, 26 Dec. and 30 Dec. 1884; The Friend, January 1885; British Friend, January 1885; funeral sermon by Canon Jackson at Leeds on 28 Dec. 1884; Smith's Cat. of Friends' Books.]
A. C. B.