# John Harrison

> British clockworker

**Wikidata**: [Q314335](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314335)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harrison)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-harrison

## Summary
John Harrison was a British clockworker, clockmaker, and inventor from the Kingdom of Great Britain. He is recognized for his contributions to horology and scientific innovation during the 18th century.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 24, 1693
- **Died**: March 24, 1776
- **Nationality**: Kingdom of Great Britain
- **Occupations**: Clockmaker, Astronomer, Inventor, Designer
- **Known for**: Horology and clockwork innovations
- **Field**: Horology, Science, Design

## Contributions
John Harrison devoted his life to the craft of clockmaking. As a clockmaker and designer, he devised new methods and processes within his field. His work is documented in various biographical and academic records, including the Encyclopædia Britannica and numerous library archives worldwide.

## FAQs
**What was John Harrison’s occupation?**
John Harrison was a clockworker, clockmaker, astronomer, inventor, and designer.

**When was John Harrison born and when did he die?**
John Harrison was born on March 24, 1693, and died on March 24, 1776.

**What nationality was John Harrison?**
John Harrison was a citizen of the Kingdom of Great Britain.

**Did John Harrison receive any awards?**
Yes, John Harrison received the Copley Medal, an award given by the Royal Society of London.

## Why They Matter
John Harrison matters as a significant figure in the history of the Kingdom of Great Britain, particularly in the realms of science and industry. Working during a period defined by the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment, his role as an inventor and clockmaker contributed to the era's technological advancements. His life spanned a transformative period in British history, and his work is preserved in extensive international library records and biographical collections.

## Notable For
- **Recipient of the Copley Medal**: Awarded by the Royal Society of London.
- **Multiple Professional Identities**: Recognized as a clockmaker, astronomer, inventor, and designer.
- **Historical Context**: Lived during the existence of the Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800).
- **Extensive Documentation**: Recorded in major biographical dictionaries, including Encyclopædia Britannica (ID 12438) and the German National Library.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
John Harrison was born on March 24, 1693. He was a human member of the species Homo sapiens and lived within the Kingdom of Great Britain. This kingdom was a constitutional monarchy in Western Europe that existed from 1707 to 1800, formed by the union of England and Scotland. The capital was London, and the currency was the pound sterling.

### Career and Occupations
Harrison held several occupational titles throughout his life. He was primarily known as a **clockmaker**, an artisan or firm that makes and repairs clocks. His other professional roles included:
- **Astronomer**: A scientist who studies celestial bodies.
- **Inventor**: A person who devises a new device, method, composition, or process.
- **Designer**: A person who designs.

These professions placed him within the scientific and industrial context of his time, contributing to the era's focus on reason, individualism, and technological development.

### Awards and Recognition
John Harrison was a recipient of the **Copley Medal**. This award is given by the Royal Society of London, a prestigious scientific institution. The medal was established in 1731 and is a significant recognition in the field of science.

### Historical Context
Harrison's life (1693–1776) coincided with major events in the Kingdom of Great Britain. During his lifetime, the kingdom was involved in the Seven Years' War (1756–1763) and the American Revolution (1775–1783). The period was marked by the Industrial Revolution, which transformed the economy and society, and the Enlightenment, which promoted reason and science. The kingdom's major industries included agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, with a thriving financial sector in London.

### Legacy and Records
John Harrison's legacy is preserved through a vast array of bibliographic and academic identifiers, reflecting his historical importance. His records appear in numerous international databases and libraries, including:
- **Library of Congress**: Authority ID n85089507.
- **Encyclopædia Britannica**: Biographical entry ID 12438.
- **German National Library**: Identifiers cnp01025782 and cnp00987799 (among others).
- **VIAF**: ID 36935388.
- **ISNI**: ID 0000000066432034.

He is also associated with the **Harrison Passage**, an Antarctic passage, indicating his name's usage in geographical nomenclature. His image is preserved in the file "John Harrison Uhrmacher.jpg," and his tombstone is recorded in "John Harrison tombstone.jpg." His 325th birthday was noted as a specific event (Property P4431).

## References

1. Find a Grave
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. [Award winners : Copley Medal. Royal Society](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. SNAC
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Proleksis Encyclopedia
11. Croatian Encyclopedia
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Harrison%20John)
14. [Source](https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsnr.2006.0164#d3e285)
15. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12039600w)
16. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line