Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Harris, George (1722-1796)
HARRIS, GEORGE (1722–1796), civilian, born at Westminster in 1722, was son of John Harris, bishop of Llandaff. He matriculated from Oriel College, Oxford, on 23 June 1738, aged 16, and proceeded B.C.L. 1745, and D.C.L. 1750. At the same time he was admitted a member of the College of Advocates. He was chancellor of the dioceses of Durham, Hereford, and Llandaff, and commissary of Essex, Hertfordshire, and Surrey. After many years' successful practice, he died in Doctors' Commons on 19 April 1796. He left a large fortune, which he distributed among public charities, bequeathing 40,000l. to St. George's Hospital, and 15,000l. to Westminster Lying-in Hospital. Harris published an admirable edition of Justinian's Institutes, entitled ‘D. Justiniani Institutionum Libri quatuor, with an English translation and notes,’ London, 1756; 2nd edit., 1761; Oxford, 1811; London, 1841 (condensed), and 1844. The translation alone appears in D. Nasmyth's ‘Outlines of Roman History,’ 1890. Harris was also author of ‘Observations upon the English Language,’ London, 1752, 8vo (anonymous).
[Foster's Alumni Oxon.; Brit. Mus. Cat.; Gent. Mag., 1796 pt. i. pp. 258, 437, 1797 pt. ii. p. 715.]