Harrod Family Genealogy & History

Charles Henry Harrod, born on 16 April 1799 in Lexden, Colchester, was a renowned English business tycoon, celebrated for founding the iconic Harrods Department Store in London. Harrod initially worked as a miller in Clacton before relocating to London in 1834 to sell groceries in Stepney. During the 1840s, he set up a small shop on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, which quickly became known as "Harrods." Under his guidance, the store flourished, becoming famous for luxury foreign foods and exclusive groceries packaged with the Union Flag's colors. By 1868, the shop employed sixteen staff and boasted a turnover of £1,000 per week, cementing its status as a prestigious retail destination.

Charles Digby Harrod was an influential English businessman born on January 25, 1841, who played a pivotal role in the expansion of Harrods, the iconic department store in London. Under his leadership, Harrods grew from a small business into a renowned shopping destination, setting the standard for luxury retail. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision significantly contributed to the store's success, leaving a lasting legacy in the retail industry. Charles Digby Harrod passed away on August 15, 1905, but remains a notable figure in the history of English commerce.

James Harrod, an influential pioneer and soldier, played a crucial role in the exploration and settlement of territories west of the Allegheny Mountains during the late 18th century. Known for founding Harrodstown, the first permanent settlement in Kentucky, Harrod was a contemporary of famed explorers like Daniel Boone. His contributions included leading expeditions into Kentucky and Illinois, serving as a colonel in the local militia, and participating in significant conflicts such as the French and Indian War and Lord Dunmore's War. Harrod's disappearance in 1792 remains a mystery, with theories ranging from being murdered while searching for silver to choosing a "wilderness divorce."

James Harrod was born around 1746 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, as one of twelve children to John and Sarah Moore Harrod. His early years were marked by tragedy, with the deaths of his brother Sam and his father's first wife at the hands of Indians, and his father's death in 1754. Despite these hardships, Harrod became a skilled frontiersman, adept at hunting and interacting with Native Americans. His family moved to Fort Littleton, where he served as a ranger, and he later fought in the French and Indian War alongside his brother William.

Sir Henry Roy Forbes Harrod was a distinguished English economist renowned for his contributions to economic theory, particularly the Harrod-Domar model of economic growth. He authored the influential biography "The Life of John Maynard Keynes" and served as a Fellow at Christ Church, Oxford. Harrod's work in international economics was pivotal, influencing later theories like the Balassa-Samuelson effect. He was also a Liberal candidate in the 1945 General Election and supported the American military campaign in Vietnam. His legacy in economics was noted by Assar Lindbeck, who mentioned Harrod's potential for a Nobel Prize had he lived longer.

Harrod was born in London to Henry Dawes Harrod, a businessman, and Frances Forbes-Robertson, a novelist. In 1938, he married Wilhelmine "Billa" Cresswell, and they had children, including Dominick Harrod, a BBC economics correspondent.