The John Harris Society loses two former Presidents
A very sad double loss. Two former presidents of the John Harris Society died within days of each other: Peter Bickford-Smith on 26th November 2024 and Jay Harris on 29th November 2024.
Peter Bickford-Smith
Peter Bickford-Smith was president of the John Harris Society from 2017 to 2020, a role to which he brought considerable experience and wisdom. He enabled us to think outside of the box. Peter gave much thought and energy to the bi-centenary celebration of the poet’s birth and raised and raised a significant sum to make it happen by writing an appeal letter to his family and friends. It was most appropriate that Peter should become president as his great-great-great grandfather, George Smith, had guided the young John Harris into the world of book publishing.
Jay Harris
Jay Harris (of Michigan, USA) was president of the John Harris Society from 2020 to 2024. Born and raised in South Dakota, Jay was a great grandson of Matthew Harris, one of the siblings of John Harris who emigrated to the USA. At family gatherings young Jay was fascinated by stories of their Cornish ancestry and was particularly intrigued that one of them was a poet. When, years later, he became aware of the achievements of John Harris, Jay spread the word of the poet’s life and work with infectious enthusiasm.
