Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Harington, Edward
HARINGTON, Sir EDWARD (1753?–1807), traveller and essayist, born about 1753, was the only son of Henry Harington, M.D. (1727–1816) [q. v.] On 27 May 1795, when mayor of Bath, he presented to the king a congratulatory address from the corporation on his escape from the attempt of Margaret Nicholson, and was knighted. Harington, who is described as clever, but eccentric, died in London on 18 March 1807, aged 54 (Gent. Mag. 1807, pt. i. p. 486). He was twice married, and left issue by his first wife; one of his sons, Edward (1776-1811), was father of Edward Charles Harington [q. v.] He was author of: 1. 'Excursion from Paris to Fontainebleau, by a Gentleman, late of Bath.' 1786. 2. Desultory Thoughts on the French Nation.' 3. 'A Schizzo on the Genius of Man, in which, among various subjects, the merit of Thomas Barker, the celebrated young painter of Bath, is particularly considered,' 1793. 4. 'Remarks on a Letter relative to the late Petitions to Parliament for the safety and preservation of his Majesty's person, and for the more effectually preventing seditious meetings and assemblies: with compleat abstracts of the several clauses contained in each bill,' 1796.
[Reuss's Alphabetical Register, pt. i. p. 451; [Rivers's] Lit. Memoirs of Authors, i. 238; Townsend's Cal. of Knights, 1828, p. 30; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715-1886, ii. 608.]