Thomas Harrison MA LLD (1839 - 1906)

Born 24 Oct 1839 in Sheffield, Sunbury, New Brunswick, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Susan Lois (Taylor) Harrison — married 21 Jun 1865 in Sheffield, Sunbury, New Brunswick, Canada

Descendants

Died 18 Sep 1906 at age 66 in Fredericton, York, New Brunswick, Canada

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Biography

Thomas Harrison MA LLD is Notable.

Thomas Harrison was born in 1839, the son of Thomas Harrison and Elizabeth (Coburn) Harrison.

At the age of 16, he was admitted to Sackville Academy where he studied for two years under Rev. H. Pickard and Professor Thomas Pickard, M.A. At the age of 18, he was appointed master of the New Glasgow Grammar School.

He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Graduating with an L.L.B degree, having started there in 1859. He received a scholarship there in 1863.^[1]. In 1864, he graduated with the degrees of B.A. and L.L.B. He advanced to the degrees of M.A. and L.L.D.

On June 21, 1865, he married Susan Lois Taylor, daughter of John S. Taylor, Esq, at Sheffield.^[2]

Dr. Harrison was a Professor at the University of New Brunswick from 1870-1885, in the fields of English, Moral Philosophy and Mathematics. In 1885, he became the President of the university and Chancellor after the position was renamed in 1891. He held that position until his death in 1906. Notabe events during his presidence at UNB included the first admissions of women (1886), the introduction of a four-year Bachelor of Arts programme and a Bachelor of Science degree.^[3]

He passed away Sept 18,1906 and is buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Research Notes

Currently looking into records from Trinity College in Dublin as little is known about this period in Dr. Harrison's history other than the anecdote that he was educated at Trinity College. In an article on his marriage, he is listed with the suffix L.L.B indicating his degree was in Law.

Sources

1. ↑ Johnson, Daniel, Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers, Vol 21 Number 783. Newspaper: Morning News, July 20, 1863. Text: We are pleased to learn that the son of Thomas HARRISON, Esq J.C.P. of Sheffield (Sunbury Co.) and nephew of Rev HARRISON Portland (St. John) has won a science scholarship at Trinity College, Dublin.
2. ↑ Johnson, Daniel, Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers, Vol 23 Number 1310. Newspaper: Colonial Farmer, July 3, 1865. Text: m. Sheffield (Sunbury Co.) 21st inst., by Rev. James Tweedy, Thomas HARRISON, Esq., L.L.B., Trinity College, Dublin (Ireland) / Susan Lois second d/o late John S. TAYLOR, Esq.
3. ↑ University of New Brunswick, "Photographic Record Of The Heads/Presidents Of The College Of New Brunswick, King's College And UNB," published at https://lib.unb.ca/225/photographic-record-headspresidents-college-new-brunswick-kings-college-and-unb#

• Find a Grave Memorial, Thomas Harrison https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114606152/thomas-harrison

• Johnson, Daniel, Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers, Vol18 Number 414. Newspaper: New Brunswick Reporter and Fredericton Advertiser. Text: m. Sheffield (Sunbury Co.) morn. 4th inst., at house of bride's father, by Rev. Richard Knight, Rev. Hezekiah McKEOWN, Wesleyan Minister of St. Stephen (Charlotte Co.) / Elizabeth Smithson HARRISON eldest d/o Thomas HARRISON, Esq.

• Johnson, Daniel, Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers, Vol 71 Number 302. Newspaper: Progress, June 23, 1888. Text: Thomas HARRISON, L.L.D., Trinity College, Dublin, president of the University of New Brunswick was born at Sheffield (Sunbury Co.) N.B. on 24th October 1839. He is the youngest son of late Thomas Harrison by his wife Elizabeth COBURN and grandson of James HARRISON of County Antrim, Ireland who emigrated to South Carolina in 1767. During the revolutionary war, Lt. James Harrison, with his elder brother, Capt. Charles HARRISON fought under Lt. Isaac Allen on the British side and in 1783 these gentlemen came with the loyalists to New Brunswick. The two brothers settled in Sheffield. Lt. James Harrison was the father of Hon. Charles Harrison, M.L.C. and the late Rev. Canon HARRISON, for many years rector of St. Luke's Church, Portland. Thomas Harrison had the good fortune to be taught in early life by T.B. BARKER, Esq., Saint John and by George T. TAYLOR of Sheffield. At the age of 16 he went to Sackville Academy and studied there for two years under the tuition Rev. H. PICKARD, D.D. and Prof. Thomas PICKARD, M.A. At the age of 18 he was appointed master of the New Glasgow Grammar School. In 1859 he entered the University of Dublin. After scholarship examination, Mr. Harrison attended law lectures and took the degrees of B.A. and L.L.B. in 1864. He has since proceeded to the degrees of M.A. and L.L.D. in the university of Dublin. In June 1870, he was appointed Professor of English language and literature in the University of New Brunswick. In 1885 he was offered the presidency of the university.