The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead

John HARRISON

  • Born: 1693
  • Died: 1776
  • Grave/memorial: XE 007

Was the inventor of the marine chronometer or, as his inscription says ‘INVENTOR of the TIME-KEEPER for ascertaining the LONGITUDE at sea’. Buried with him is his son William FRS [1728-1815] who tested his chronometers on sea voyages and helped his father in the long struggle to claim his £20, 000 prize. Their story is told graphically in the grave’s own words.

Reference: Buried in Hampstead, Camden History Society 1986