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Jack Harkness (1918-1994) is the grandson of the original co-founder John Harkness. He established the first rose hybridization program at the company in 1962, developing vigorous, healthy roses by hybridizing from wild rose species. In the 1970s he began breeding with Rosa persica, an unusual rose species with simple leaves. During his career, Harkness developed many successful rose cultivars, including 'Alexander', 'Mountbatten' and 'Amber Queen'. He is best known for his floribundas and hybrid tea roses. The rose cultivar, 'Bridge of Sighs', was developed by Harkness and introduced into Britain by Harkness Roses in 2000. Harkness named 'Bridge of Sighs' after the Hertford bridge at Oxford, where his brother, Peter Harkness, attended University. The stock parents of 'Bridge of Sighs' are unknown.