William Greer Harrison
Encyclopedia
William Greer Harrison was a prominent Irish-born citizen in San Francisco during the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century. By profession, he was an insurance agent, but is remembered for his associations with the Bohemian Club
(for which he was a founding member), the Olympic Club
and for his civic contributions.
, Ireland
in 1836. He spent his early manhood in New Zealand
and afterwards emigrated to San Francisco, United States
in the 1870s.
, San Francisco. William Greer Harrison retired after 27 years as the senior official of the “Thames & Mersey” on the Pacific Coast of North America, and was succeeded by Louis Rosenthal, who was in turn destined to represent the company there for 34 years.
" murders in Whitechapel
, London
with an unnamed prominent London physician. This conversation was reported in a number of newspaper articles across the United States
, including the Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel (24 April 1895), the Fort Wayne Weekly Gazette (25 April 1895), the Ogden Standard, Utah
, the Williamsport Sunday Grit (12 May 1895); the Hayward
Review, California
(17 May 1895); and the Brooklyn
Daily Eagle (28 December 1897).
According to Harrison's account, Howard claimed that the murderer was a "medical man of high standing" whose wife alerted his colleagues and the police after becoming alarmed by his erratic behaviour during the period of the murders. Dr Howard "was one of a dozen London physicians who sat as a commission in lunacy upon their brother physician, for at last it was definitely proved that the dread Jack the Ripper was a physician in high standing and enjoying the patronage of the best society in the West End of London." The article goes on to allege that the preacher and spiritualist Robert James Lees
played a leading role in the physician’s arrest by using his clairvoyant powers to divine that the Whitechapel murderer lived in a house in Mayfair
, London. He persuaded police to enter the house, which turned out to be the home of the physician, who was allegedly removed to a private insane asylum in Islington
, London
under the name of Thomas Mason.
. The plan was abandoned after the San Francisco Earthquake the following year.
On 19 April 1906, following the San Francisco Earthquake, William Greer Harrison was one of fifty citizens nominated by Mayor Schmitz as a Committee of Safety, to oversee the provision of relief to earthquake victims and the restoration of public services.
William Greer Harrison was commissioned by James O’Neill (father of playwright Eugene O’Neill) to write “The O'Neill, or the Prince of Ulster” —a play based on Hugh Ó Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, who resisted English authority in Ireland.
In 1894 Harrison wrote "Runnymede," a play based on the story of Robin Hood
and written for the Shakespearian actor Frederick Warde
. Harrison’s treatment portrayed Robin Hood's band not as outlaws, but as loyal subjects of Richard Coeur de Lion, in opposition to John of Anjou. The story was based on the attempts of John to destroy Robin and to gain possession of Marian Lea, Robin's affianced bride. A secondary romance was woven around the love life of Little John of Robin Hood’s band and Margery Josselyn, Marian’s companion. Harrison introduced some changes to historical fact for dramatic effect – for example, King Richard I was murdered by his brother John; and having become King, John’s death sentence upon Robin Hood and Friar Tuck was frustrated by his having just signed the Magna Carta
.
The play opened in New York in 1895 and closed shortly afterwards, having been severely scorned by the New York critics. Upon his return to San Francisco, Harrison explained that the play’s failure was due to the cultural deficiencies of New York society. He is quoted as saying:
, satirist and fellow Bohemian Club member, was a long term critic of Harrison, likening his verse to “a roadside pump replenishing a horse trough”
When the young he suicide Jewish poet David Lesser Lezinsky shot himself on 4 July 1895, of , Bierce was widely blamed, being accused of mocking the young writer for anti-Semetic reasons. William Greer Harrison joined in the criticism though a series of angry letters published in local newspapers.
After Harrison’s death in 1916, Bierce wrote an obituary parodying his literary style and mocking his alleged use of his wealth to buy approval:
Bohemian Club
The Bohemian Club is a private men's club in San Francisco, California, United States.Its clubhouse is located at 624 Taylor Street in San Francisco...
(for which he was a founding member), the Olympic Club
Olympic Club
The Olympic Club is a San Francisco, California, athletic club and private social club with three golf courses located at San Francisco's border with Daly City, California. The club's main "City Clubhouse" is located in downtown San Francisco. The club's "Lakeside Clubhouse" is located just north...
and for his civic contributions.
Early life
William Greer Harrison was born in County DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1836. He spent his early manhood in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and afterwards emigrated to San Francisco, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 1870s.
Thames & Mersey Marine Insurance Company
From 1879, he was the manager of the Thames & Mersey Marine Insurance company's underwriting agency in San Francisco. The company had opened its office there in 1876, trading under the name “Messrs. Cross & Co”. The early history of the office was chequered, for the agency was held by three representatives in three years. Greer Harrison was the last and most successful of these, building a large and profitable portfolio. During one period of twelve months in the ’eighties, the “Thames & Mersey” insured every shipload of wheat that sailed out of San Francisco without loss. The profit on this alone equalled the whole of the company dividend that year. During this time he resided at 806 Stockton StreetStockton Street (San Francisco)
Stockton Street is a north-south street in San Francisco. It begins at Market Street passing Union Square, a major shopping district in the city. It then runs under the Stockton Street Tunnel, through Chinatown and North Beach, and ends at Beach Street near Pier 39...
, San Francisco. William Greer Harrison retired after 27 years as the senior official of the “Thames & Mersey” on the Pacific Coast of North America, and was succeeded by Louis Rosenthal, who was in turn destined to represent the company there for 34 years.
"Jack the Ripper" allegations
In 1895 William Greer Harrison was the source for an alleged conversation with a Dr Howard in the Bohemian Club, linking the 1888 "Jack the RipperJack the Ripper
"Jack the Ripper" is the best-known name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The name originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, that was disseminated in the...
" murders in Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
with an unnamed prominent London physician. This conversation was reported in a number of newspaper articles across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, including the Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel (24 April 1895), the Fort Wayne Weekly Gazette (25 April 1895), the Ogden Standard, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, the Williamsport Sunday Grit (12 May 1895); the Hayward
Hayward
Hayward was originally Hayward , an officer of a township in charge of fences and enclosures. It may also refer to:-People with surname Hayward:*Abraham Hayward , English writer and essayist*Adam Hayward, American football player...
Review, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(17 May 1895); and the Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
Daily Eagle (28 December 1897).
According to Harrison's account, Howard claimed that the murderer was a "medical man of high standing" whose wife alerted his colleagues and the police after becoming alarmed by his erratic behaviour during the period of the murders. Dr Howard "was one of a dozen London physicians who sat as a commission in lunacy upon their brother physician, for at last it was definitely proved that the dread Jack the Ripper was a physician in high standing and enjoying the patronage of the best society in the West End of London." The article goes on to allege that the preacher and spiritualist Robert James Lees
Robert James Lees
Robert James Lees was a British spiritualist, medium, preacher, writer and healer of the late Victorian era and early twentieth century known today for claims that he knew the identity of Jack the Ripper, responsible for the Whitechapel murders of 1888.-Early life:The son of William Lingham Lees...
played a leading role in the physician’s arrest by using his clairvoyant powers to divine that the Whitechapel murderer lived in a house in Mayfair
Mayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
, London. He persuaded police to enter the house, which turned out to be the home of the physician, who was allegedly removed to a private insane asylum in Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
under the name of Thomas Mason.
Civic contributions
In 1904, Harrison was elected as a Director and subsequently Vice-President of the Association for the Improvement and Adornment of San Francisco. Daniel H. Burnham, the American architect and urban planner, was invited by to prepare a plan, which he completed in September, 1905, and which was accepted by Mayor Eugene SchmitzEugene Schmitz
Eugene Edward Schmitz was an American politician and the 26th mayor of San Francisco, who became notorious for his conviction by a jury on charges of corruption.-Life and career:...
. The plan was abandoned after the San Francisco Earthquake the following year.
On 19 April 1906, following the San Francisco Earthquake, William Greer Harrison was one of fifty citizens nominated by Mayor Schmitz as a Committee of Safety, to oversee the provision of relief to earthquake victims and the restoration of public services.
Death
Harrison died on 3 December 1916 following a paralytic stroke. The press report of his death noted that, despite his advanced age, Harrison participated the previous New Year's Day in the Olympic club's customary cross city run, ending with a plunge in the surf. A bust of him dressed in a runner’s uniform was commissioned by the Olympic Club in his memory, by the sculptor Haig Patigan, a member of the Bohemian Club. This was unveiled on the sixth anniversary of his death on 3 December 1922 and is currently displayed in the West entrance lobby of the club, between Taylor and Madison Streets.Literary career
William Greer Harrison made a number of attempts at a literary career, as a composer of verse, as a playwright and finally as a writer of factual sports and travel literature.Playwright career
William Greer Harrison was commissioned by James O’Neill (father of playwright Eugene O’Neill) to write “The O'Neill, or the Prince of Ulster” —a play based on Hugh Ó Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, who resisted English authority in Ireland.
In 1894 Harrison wrote "Runnymede," a play based on the story of Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
and written for the Shakespearian actor Frederick Warde
Frederick Warde
Frederick Barkham Warde was an English Shakesperian actor who relocated to the United States in the late 19th century.In the late 1870s he partnered with actor Maurice Barrymore and the two agreed to tour plays around the United States. Warde would have one section of the country while Barrymore...
. Harrison’s treatment portrayed Robin Hood's band not as outlaws, but as loyal subjects of Richard Coeur de Lion, in opposition to John of Anjou. The story was based on the attempts of John to destroy Robin and to gain possession of Marian Lea, Robin's affianced bride. A secondary romance was woven around the love life of Little John of Robin Hood’s band and Margery Josselyn, Marian’s companion. Harrison introduced some changes to historical fact for dramatic effect – for example, King Richard I was murdered by his brother John; and having become King, John’s death sentence upon Robin Hood and Friar Tuck was frustrated by his having just signed the Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
.
The play opened in New York in 1895 and closed shortly afterwards, having been severely scorned by the New York critics. Upon his return to San Francisco, Harrison explained that the play’s failure was due to the cultural deficiencies of New York society. He is quoted as saying:
Travel and sports books
William Greer Harrison wrote a number of travel and sports books, including The Outdoor Life of California (1905) and Making a Man; a manual of athletics (1915).Feud with Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce
Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist...
, satirist and fellow Bohemian Club member, was a long term critic of Harrison, likening his verse to “a roadside pump replenishing a horse trough”
When the young he suicide Jewish poet David Lesser Lezinsky shot himself on 4 July 1895, of , Bierce was widely blamed, being accused of mocking the young writer for anti-Semetic reasons. William Greer Harrison joined in the criticism though a series of angry letters published in local newspapers.
After Harrison’s death in 1916, Bierce wrote an obituary parodying his literary style and mocking his alleged use of his wealth to buy approval: