Samuel Harris (bailiff)
Samuel Harris
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| Monarch | Queen Victoria. King Edward VII |
| Governor | Francis Pigott Stainsby Conant. Spencer Walpole. Joseph West Ridgeway |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
6 November 1815 Douglas, Isle of Man |
| Died | 9 June 1905 (aged 89) Douglas, Isle of Man |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Bateman Craig (1839-1892, her death) |
| Children | Margaret Harris. Georgina Maria Harris. Samuel Joseph Harris. Edward Craig Harris. Ann Harris. Charlotte Francis Harris. Thomas John Harris. Cecil Henry Harris. |
| Profession | Advocate |
Samuel Harris QC (6 November, 1815 – 9 June, 1905) was a Manx advocate, businessman and philanthropist who became High Bailiff of Douglas and a member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man. He was also a founder of the Isle of Man Bank and a director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Samuel Harris was born in Douglas, Isle of Man, the eldest of two sons to Samuel Harris; a linen draper and wine & spirit merchant of North Quay, Douglas, and Ann (nee Holyland). He was educated at a private school run by the Reverend Samuel Haining.
On completion of his schooling, Harris pursued a career in the legal profession. He was articled to the practice of High Bailiff James Quirk and on March 24, 1842, he was called to the Manx Bar. Harris then set up practice with Alfred Adams until in March, 1864, Harris was appointed High Bailiff of Douglas, and the partnership with Adams was dissolved.
In 1846 Harris was appointed a Tithe Agent and would continue as such until his retirement, being replaced in that capacity by Ridgeway Harrison.
The first elections for Douglas Town Commissioners were held in 1860, with Harris topping the poll leading to his appointment as the first Chairman of the town's Commissioners and in such a role would represent Douglas at various functions. He played a major part in the development of the town and the upgrading of the town's amenities including the construction of the sewage system. At this time Harris constructed the Imperial Hotel at the Red Pier, on the site of the old courthouse and which would later become the headquarters of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.He also acquired a portion of land on the central foreshore of Douglas Bay, between St Thomas' Church and Broadway, bordering the Villa Marina Estate, which was developed into the town's first promenade and which would subsequently be named Harris Promenade.
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