Robert Harvey (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert Harvey was a prominent British saltpetre producer in Bolivia, Peru and Chile during the late 19th Century.
Harvey was born in Cornwall
to Samuel Harvey, a tailor. The younger Harvey entered the foundery trade. In 1872 he went to Bolivia to work in the Tocopilla Copper Mines. In 1875 he moved to Iquique
which was then in Peru and became involved in the production of saltpetre.
During the War of the Pacific
Harvey was captured at the Battle of San Francisco
. Due to his expertise in the nitrate industry he was recruited to work for the Chilean government. About this time he married Alida Maria Godefroy who was from a respected Franco-Peruvian family.
In 1881 when the Chilean government privatized the nitrate industry Harvey became managing partner for the firm of J.T.North and Harvey, which he had established with John Thomas North
, who was often called the Nitrate King.
By 1883 Harvey had made enough money he decided it was time to return to Britain. He bought an estate in Cornwall and many properties in the Totnes Area of Devon. In 1897 he was High Sheriff of Devon
and in 1898 High Sheriff of Cornwall
. He made an unsuccessful run to become MP from Truro
. In 1901 Harvey was knighted.
He was the father of Samuel Emile Harvey
.
Harvey was born in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
to Samuel Harvey, a tailor. The younger Harvey entered the foundery trade. In 1872 he went to Bolivia to work in the Tocopilla Copper Mines. In 1875 he moved to Iquique
Iquique
Iquique is a port city and commune in northern Chile, capital of both the Iquique Province and Tarapacá Region. It lies on the Pacific coast, west of the Atacama Desert and the Pampa del Tamarugal. It had a population of 216,419 as of the 2002 census...
which was then in Peru and became involved in the production of saltpetre.
During the War of the Pacific
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific took place in western South America from 1879 through 1883. Chile fought against Bolivia and Peru. Despite cooperation among the three nations in the war against Spain, disputes soon arose over the mineral-rich Peruvian provinces of Tarapaca, Tacna, and Arica, and the...
Harvey was captured at the Battle of San Francisco
Battle of San Francisco
The Battle of San Francisco, also known as Battle of Dolores, fought on November 19, 1879, was the third battle of the Tarapacá Campaign in the War of the Pacific, after Pisagua and Germania...
. Due to his expertise in the nitrate industry he was recruited to work for the Chilean government. About this time he married Alida Maria Godefroy who was from a respected Franco-Peruvian family.
In 1881 when the Chilean government privatized the nitrate industry Harvey became managing partner for the firm of J.T.North and Harvey, which he had established with John Thomas North
John Thomas North
John Thomas North was a British investor and businessman. North was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, the son of a coal merchant and a churchwarden. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to millwrights and engineers before working for several years as a mechanic. He moved to Chile in South America...
, who was often called the Nitrate King.
By 1883 Harvey had made enough money he decided it was time to return to Britain. He bought an estate in Cornwall and many properties in the Totnes Area of Devon. In 1897 he was High Sheriff of Devon
High Sheriff of Devon
The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, he holds his office over the duration of a year. He has judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court...
and in 1898 High Sheriff of Cornwall
High Sheriff of Cornwall
High Sheriffs of Cornwall: a chronological list:Note: The right to choose High Sheriffs each year is vested in the Duchy of Cornwall, rather than the Privy Council, chaired by the Sovereign, which chooses the Sheriffs of all other English counties, other than those in the Duchy of...
. He made an unsuccessful run to become MP from Truro
Truro
Truro is a city and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The city is the centre for administration, leisure and retail in Cornwall, with a population recorded in the 2001 census of 17,431. Truro urban statistical area, which includes parts of surrounding parishes, has a 2001 census...
. In 1901 Harvey was knighted.
He was the father of Samuel Emile Harvey
Samuel Emile Harvey
Major Sir Samuel Emile Harvey DL was a British Conservative Party politician. He sat in the House of Commons for all but one of the years from 1922 to 1935.- Early life :...
.