Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Harington, Henry (1755-1791)
HARINGTON, HENRY, D.D. (1755–1791), compiler of the 'Nugæ Antiquæ,' younger son of Henry Harington, M.D. [q. v.], was born at Wells about 1705, and matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford, 2 July 1770, aged 15, proceeding B.A. 1774, M.A. 1777, and B.D. and D.D. 1788. Entering holy orders, he became rector of North Cove with Willingham, Suffolk; rector of Heywood, Norfolk; prebendary of Bath and Wells 1 May 1787; minor canon of Norwich Cathedral; and assistant minister of St. Peter's, Mancroft, Norwich. He died at Norwich on 25 Dec. 1791.
From the family papers belonging to his father, Harington compiled at a very early age the valuable collection of literary pieces and historical notes known as 'Nugæ Antiquæ,' The volumes chiefly deal with the life and writings of Sir John Harington [q. v.] and his father. A first volume appeared in 1769, without the editor's name; a second volume, issued in 1775, bore Harington's name on the title-page, and was dedicated to Lord Francis Seymour, dean of Wells. A second enlarged edition in three volumes (the earliest copy in the British Museum) is dated 1779. Harington's name is on the title-page, and there is a dedication by him to Charles, bishop of Bath and Wells. The work was re-edited by Thomas Park in 1804, 2 vols.
[Foster's Alumni Oxon.; Le Neve's Fasti, ed. Hardy, i. 205; Gent. Mag. 1791, pt. ii. p. 1237.]