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Sir Robert Harvey
High Sheriff of Devon & High Sheriff of Cornwall - Truro philanthropist; prominent Cornish businessman; saltpetre producer in Bolivia, Peru and Chile during late 19th century>
1847 - 1930 (82 years)-
Name Robert Harvey [1] Title Sir Birth 2 Oct 1847 St Clement, Truro 
[1] Gender Male Married 26 Jun 1881 (33 years) Iquique, Atacama, Chile married Miss Alida Maria Godefroy, a Lady from a prominent Franco-Peruvian family, at Iquique on 26 June 1881 for whom he erected a tower and a peal of 14 bells at Buckland Abbey after her death Residence May 1887 (39 years) Gloucester Place, Hyde Park, London [5] May, 1887, we went to London, and took a furnished house at 69, Gloucester Place, Hyde Park Residence Jul 1891 (43 years) Folkestone, Kent My wife was ill for some time, and my children still with whooping cough, which caused us to go, by advice of our good friend and family medical attendant, Dr. Walker, to Folkestone in the beginning of July.
The children and I took our daily walks by the side of my wife's bath chair, and we all derived great benefit from the Folkestone air, for over two months.Residence Sep 1891 (43 years) Dundridge In September we came to Dundridge, where we enjoyed the autumn, and where "Tito" and Emile first had their Shetland ponies, Ginger and Tinker, which they rode out daily, whilst Lilita rode our Cob Butterfly, but she soon tired of riding, whilst the boys became still fonder of this healthful exercise. Trade,Profession,Job 1897 (49 years) [1] High Sheriff of Devon Trade,Profession,Job 1898 (50 years) [Office] High Sheriff of Cornwall [1] High Sheriff of Cornwall Name 9 Feb 1901 (53 years) [6] knighted by King Edward VII at Marlborough House on 9 February 1901.[6][7] Death 14 Mar 1930 (82 years) Falmouth, Cornwall [1] An Anglican, he died in Falmouth in 1930 in the presence of his son, Major Samuel Emile Harvey, Unionist MP for the Totnes division. Bell ringers at Kenwyn Church Cornwall, where his family had worshipped for generations, rang muffled peals on the bells that he had had recast in 1905 in memory of his parents, late wife and other members of his family
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"Sir Robert Harvey: Former High Sheriff of Cornwall Dead". The West Briton. Truro. 17 March 1930. p. 3. Retrieved 15 September 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Interesting fact Truro philanthropist; prominent Cornish businessman; saltpetre producer in Bolivia, Peru and Chile during late 19th century [1] Death 14 Mar 1930 Falmouth, Cornwall [1] Occupation 1872 (24 years) - Tocopilla, Antofagasta, Chile, South America - 1872 he was chosen to accompany a steam engine to the Tocopilla copper mines of Gwennap immigrants Samuel Lean and John Jose of Lean, Jose and Co. in Bolivia under a three year contract for £12 a month in the first year rising to £15 per month by the third [1]1875 (27 years) - Iquique, Atacama, Chile - 1875 Harvey moved to Iquique where he became an authority on nitrate production in the Peruvian Province of Tarapacá and one of the leading salitreros in the Pacific Littoral. Known as ‘el gringo colorado’, he was appointed the chief engineer of the Oficinâ Rimac Saltpetre manufactory with a salary of £40 per month, and was soon after appointed to superintend the construction of new nitrate works [1]1879-1883 (35 years) - Iquique, Atacama, Chile - During the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), Tarapacá was overrun by the Chileans who captured Harvey at the Battle of San Francisco and imprisoned him at Iquique [1]1885 (37 years) - Trenowth Estate, Trenowth, Grampound Road - returned to Cornwall in 1885, a millionaire by today's standards, and brought the Trenoweth Estate for about £13,0001890 (42 years) - Dundridge - In the spring of 1890, I purchased Dundridge, and after some months of negotiation with the tenant, I induced her to accept a sum of money as compensation, and to leave the house, which I wished to occupy as my country residence. [2]About 1890 (42 years) - Cornish Hotels Company (Limited) - invested in the Cornish tourism industry, forming a partnership in the Cornish Hotels Company with architect Silvanus Trevail, along with returning émigrés George Hicks and John Jose1891 (43 years) - Nice, France - At Nice we had the good fortune to meet at the hotel, our old parish priest of Iquique, Father Ortuzar who was my friend in Chili, who married my wife and me, and who baptized Lilita.
Here we renewed our friendship which had been broken from the time of our having left Iquique, but which, unfortunately, did not last long, as only two years after this we received the announcement of his death. [3]1891 (43 years) - Mount Vesuvius, Gulf of Naples, Campania, Italy - We saw Vesuvius in eruption, but from a distance, as we would not go near it in that state [3]5 Jun 1891 (43 years) - London - At the end of May we returned to London, and on the 5th June this year (1891), our son Alfred Charles was born. Although this dear child only lived a little over 24 hours, yet we felt severe grief for his loss, and buried him in the Brompton Cemetery on the 9th of June, where a cross is erected to his memory.Jul 1892 (44 years) - Devonport, Plymouth - In July, 1892, the General Election came on, which I lost by 347, and Capt. Price by 290 votes. My wife was unwell at this time and could not accompany me to Devonport, and the state of her health during my repeated long absences from home concerned me very much.
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Although defeated, I did not withdraw my candidature, and with Capt. Price decided to continue as candidates in the Conservative interest.6 Aug 1892 (44 years) - On August 6th of this year, our dear son Alfred Northey was born. Alfred, generally called "Baby," and by dear "Tito" and Emile, "Jimmy," from his birth 12 Aug 1892 (44 years) - Scotland - Again on August 12th I went to Scotland with my friend Inglis, but shot only three days, as on the third day I received a pellet in the eye, from a friend's gun, which obliged me to desist and to return home. Fortunately the shot did not affect the sight, so being comparatively uninjured, my return home so soon was hailed with delight by my children.Sep 1892 (44 years) - Dundridge - In September we again came to Dundridge with Mr. Parsons (Alfred's godfather) and Admiral and Mrs. Fenwick, and passed a very happy autumn here.
Our old nurse Mary Negus came with us againEaster 1894 (46 years) - Dundridge - The book incidentally tells how Robert Harvey had electric lighting installed throughout Dundridge shortly before Easter 1894. A building alongside the stables is shown as "The Engine House" on an old plan. [4]1 Nov 1894 (47 years) - Brompton Cemetery - We returned to London on the last day of October, so as to visit our Alfred Charles's grave at Brompton on All Soul's Day, which we slid, and each planted a little flower on his grave, but unfortunately the London climate soon kills all flowers, although the aucubas on the grave grow moderately well.1902 (54 years) - Royal Institution of Cornwall - knighted in 1901. The following year he held the Presidency of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, presenting the enigmatic Pozo Stone covered in Amerindian petroglyphs and a portrait of the Cornish giant, Anthony Payne, to the Royal Cornwall Museum1929 (81 years) - Trenowth Estate, Trenowth, Grampound Road - Architects Cowell, Drewitt & Wheatly designed a Neo-Georgian house for Sir Robert one mile to the west (Trenowth, 1929)1929 (81 years) - Trenowth, Grampound Road - Architects Cowell, Drewitt & Wheatly had previously designed a Neo-Georgian house for Sir Robert one mile to the west (Trenowth, 1929)Association John (son of William and Elizabeth) Jose, [Mellingey] (Relationship: partnership in the Cornish Hotels Company) Association Silvanus Trevail (Relationship: partnership in the Cornish Hotels Company) Association George Hicks (Relationship: partnership in the Cornish Hotels Company) Association Captain Dusting (Relationship: aptain Dusting of Penzance; cattle steamer named Hercules; Morocco, Tangier) Person ID I9525 AHP Last Modified 26 Jul 2025
Family Alida Maria Godefroy/HARVEY, from prominent Franco-Peruvian family, b. 23 Dec 1860 Marriage 26 Jun 1881 Iquique, Atacama, Chile Age at Marriage He : 33 years and 8 months - She : 20 years and 6 months. Children 1. Alida Luisa Harvey/BRITTAIN, DBE ; British harpist; wife of politician and journalist Sir Harry Brittain, b. 12 Jun 1883, Iquique, Atacama, Chile d. 5 Jan 1943 (Age 59 years) [Father: Birth] [Mother: Birth]2. Robert Harvey, b. 31 Aug 1884 d. 21 May 1895 (Age 10 years) [Father: Birth] [Mother: Birth] 3. Major Sir Samuel Emile Harvey, DL; British Conservative Party politician, b. 7 December 1885, Cornwall d. 9 Nov 1959 (Age 73 years) [Father: Birth] [Mother: Birth]4. Alfred Charles Harvey, b. 5 Jun 1891, London, England d. 6 Jun 1891 (Age 0 years) [Father: Birth] [Mother: Birth]5. Alfred Northey Harvey, b. 6 Aug 1892 [Father: Birth] [Mother: Birth] Histories 
Sir Robert Harvey | Former High Sheriff of Cornwall Dead | report - Mon 17 Mar 1930
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser - Monday 17 March 1930Family ID F3883 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 26 Jul 2025
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Event Map 
Birth - 2 Oct 1847 - St Clement, Truro 
Occupation - 1872 he was chosen to accompany a steam engine to the Tocopilla copper mines of Gwennap immigrants Samuel Lean and John Jose of Lean, Jose and Co. in Bolivia under a three year contract for £12 a month in the first year rising to £15 per month by the third - 1872 (24 years) - Tocopilla, Antofagasta, Chile, South America 
Occupation - 1875 Harvey moved to Iquique where he became an authority on nitrate production in the Peruvian Province of Tarapacá and one of the leading salitreros in the Pacific Littoral. Known as ‘el gringo colorado’, he was appointed the chief engineer of the Oficinâ Rimac Saltpetre manufactory with a salary of £40 per month, and was soon after appointed to superintend the construction of new nitrate works - 1875 (27 years) - Iquique, Atacama, Chile Married - married Miss Alida Maria Godefroy, a Lady from a prominent Franco-Peruvian family, at Iquique on 26 June 1881 for whom he erected a tower and a peal of 14 bells at Buckland Abbey after her death - 26 Jun 1881 - Iquique, Atacama, Chile Marriage - 26 Jun 1881 - Iquique, Atacama, Chile Occupation - During the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), Tarapacá was overrun by the Chileans who captured Harvey at the Battle of San Francisco and imprisoned him at Iquique - 1879-1883 (35 years) - Iquique, Atacama, Chile 
Occupation - returned to Cornwall in 1885, a millionaire by today's standards, and brought the Trenoweth Estate for about £13,000 - 1885 (37 years) - Trenowth Estate, Trenowth, Grampound Road 
Occupation - invested in the Cornish tourism industry, forming a partnership in the Cornish Hotels Company with architect Silvanus Trevail, along with returning émigrés George Hicks and John Jose - About 1890 (42 years) - Cornish Hotels Company (Limited) 
Occupation - At Nice we had the good fortune to meet at the hotel, our old parish priest of Iquique, Father Ortuzar who was my friend in Chili, who married my wife and me, and who baptized Lilita. Here we renewed our friendship which had been broken from the time of our having left Iquique, but which, unfortunately, did not last long, as only two years after this we received the announcement of his death. - 1891 (43 years) - Nice, France 
Occupation - At the end of May we returned to London, and on the 5th June this year (1891), our son Alfred Charles was born. Although this dear child only lived a little over 24 hours, yet we felt severe grief for his loss, and buried him in the Brompton Cemetery on the 9th of June, where a cross is erected to his memory. - 5 Jun 1891 (43 years) - London 
Occupation - In July, 1892, the General Election came on, which I lost by 347, and Capt. Price by 290 votes. My wife was unwell at this time and could not accompany me to Devonport, and the state of her health during my repeated long absences from home concerned me very much. ... Although defeated, I did not withdraw my candidature, and with Capt. Price decided to continue as candidates in the Conservative interest. - Jul 1892 (44 years) - Devonport, Plymouth 
Occupation - Again on August 12th I went to Scotland with my friend Inglis, but shot only three days, as on the third day I received a pellet in the eye, from a friend's gun, which obliged me to desist and to return home. Fortunately the shot did not affect the sight, so being comparatively uninjured, my return home so soon was hailed with delight by my children. - 12 Aug 1892 (44 years) - Scotland 
Trade,Profession,Job - High Sheriff of Cornwall - 1898 - [Office] High Sheriff of Cornwall Occupation - Architects Cowell, Drewitt & Wheatly designed a Neo-Georgian house for Sir Robert one mile to the west (Trenowth, 1929) - 1929 (81 years) - Trenowth Estate, Trenowth, Grampound Road 
Occupation - Architects Cowell, Drewitt & Wheatly had previously designed a Neo-Georgian house for Sir Robert one mile to the west (Trenowth, 1929) - 1929 (81 years) - Trenowth, Grampound Road 
Death - An Anglican, he died in Falmouth in 1930 in the presence of his son, Major Samuel Emile Harvey, Unionist MP for the Totnes division. Bell ringers at Kenwyn Church Cornwall, where his family had worshipped for generations, rang muffled peals on the bells that he had had recast in 1905 in memory of his parents, late wife and other members of his family -- "Sir Robert Harvey: Former High Sheriff of Cornwall Dead". The West Briton. Truro. 17 March 1930. p. 3. Retrieved 15 September 2023 – via Newspapers.com. - 14 Mar 1930 - Falmouth, Cornwall Death - 14 Mar 1930 - Falmouth, Cornwall = Link to Google Earth Pin Legend 
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Photos 
Sir Robert Harvey (1847–1930)
gift, 1903Sir Robert Harvey | Robert Harvey In The Sketch, 13 May 1896
Robert Harvey In The Sketch, 13 May 1896
Documents 
Captain Dusting of Penzance; cattle steamer named Hercules; Morocco | The Life of Robert Godefroy Harvey by His Father | about 10 March 1895
On getting on board the Captain spoke to me, told me that we might go to the quarter-deck and make ourselves as comfortable as we could, and that the boys might play with the ropes as much as they "mint to." On the Captain making use of this expression I enquired from which part of Cornwall he came, when he said he came from Penzance, and was…
Histories Sir Robert Harvey - The Cornish in Latin America | Archived Truro Public Baths
The public baths were opened by Mr A. Laverton, Mayor of Truro in December 1890History | Robert Harvey (1847-1930) | Sir Robert Harvey Memorial Hall, Ladock - 1431749 | Historic England 
Sir Robert Harveys bungalow at Trenowth (near Grampound Road) in the parish of Probus, Cornwall. 17th June 1904
Sir Robert Harveys bungalow at Trenowth (near Grampound Road) in the parish of Probus, Cornwall. 17th June 1904Trevail's Cornish Hotels Company Limited - attempted history Architects Cowell, Drewitt & Wheatly | Neo-Georgian house for Sir Robert | 1929
Architects Cowell, Drewitt & Wheatly had previously designed a Neo-Georgian house for Sir Robert one mile to the west (Trenowth, 1929)Sir Robert Harvey | Former High Sheriff of Cornwall Dead | report - Mon 17 Mar 1930
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser - Monday 17 March 1930
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Sources - [S37] Wikipedia.
Sir Robert Harvey JP DL (2 October 1847 – 14 March 1930) was a prominent British saltpetre producer in Bolivia, Peru and Chile during the late 19th century.[1]
Biography
Harvey was born in Truro, Cornwall to Samuel Harvey, a tailor. The young Harvey was apprenticed to William's engineering works at Truro.[2] In 1872 he went to Bolivia to work in the Tocopilla Copper Mines and in 1875, moved to Iquique, which was then in Peru, and became involved in the production of saltpetre.[3]
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 María 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.[3]
By 1883, Harvey had made enough money he decided it was time to return to Britain where he became a landowner in Cornwall and Devon. He bought the Trenoweth estate, near Grampound Road and many properties in the Totnes area including Dundridge House in the parish of Harberton.[2][3]
In 1897, he was High Sheriff of Devon and in 1900 Sheriff of Cornwall,[4] and he made an unsuccessful run to become MP for Truro. He was among the new knights announced in the 1901 New Year Honours list,[5] and was knighted by King Edward VII at Marlborough House on 9 February 1901.[6][7]
He had one daughter, Dame Alida Brittain, and five sons, including politician Sir Samuel Emile Harvey.[8][9]
Robert Harvey died in Falmouth on 14 March 1930.[10]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Harvey_(businessman) - [S215] Robert Harvey, The Life of Robert Godefroy Harvey by His Father (1896).
In the spring of 1890, I purchased Dundridge, and after some months of negotiation with the tenant, I induced her to accept a sum of money as compensation, and to leave the house, which I wished to occupy as my country residence.
Sir Robert Harvey purchased Dundridge in the Spring of 1890. The book incidentally tells how Robert Harvey had electric lighting installed throughout Dundridge shortly before Easter 1894. A building alongside the stables is shown as "The Engine House" on an old plan. - [S215] Robert Harvey, The Life of Robert Godefroy Harvey by His Father (1896).
At Nice we had the good fortune to meet at the hotel, our old parish priest of Iquique, Father Ortuzar who was my friend in Chili, who married my wife and me, and who baptized Lilita.
Here we renewed our friendship which had been broken from the time of our having left Iquique, but which, unfortunately, did not last long, as only two years after this we received the announcement of his death. - [S215] Robert Harvey, The Life of Robert Godefroy Harvey by His Father (1896).
Previous to our departure for Cap Martin I had arranged with a firm of electricians to light Dundridge throughout, as the darkness and the work of cleaning lamps were a continual trouble, as well as a source of annoyance, to my wife.
On signing the contract for the work I took my
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children into my confidence, and hid them say nothing, so as to give their mother a pleasant surprise when we returned to Dundridge My children frequently consulted me in private at Cap Martin about the progress of this work, and revelled with me in the idea of such a novelty as a pleasing surprise to their mother.
The work was completed shortly before Easter, so that on our way down we had many whispered conversations about it. So well was the secret kept, that we arrived at Dundridge and my wife even got in the morning room before she noticed the brilliant light which welcomed us. The joy and the laughter of the children were most delightful. On her going to the dining-room their happy laughter became louder, and on her reaching the drawing-room, and there expressing her further surprise at such a beautiful illumination, the dear children's hilarity became so boisterous, that my wife and I had no alternative but to join with them in a hearty laugh at this surprise so ably planned and carried out.
'We remained at Dundridge until we returned to London at the end of May, when my boys again went to school, and Lilita continued her studies with her governess, Miss Gegg, who generally accompanied us to Dundridge, and included "Tito" and Emile in her classes during their absence from school. - [S215] Robert Harvey, The Life of Robert Godefroy Harvey by His Father (1896).
During our residence here I weighed our three children at Whiteley's Stores, and by a most curious
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coincidence they each weighed 591bs. "Tito" was the weight he should be for his age, as in that, as in all his qualities, he was a child nearer perfection than any other I ever knew. Emile was very stout for his age, and weighed more than he ought, whilst Lilita was frail, and weighed less than she ought. This was a most curious coincidence, which I venture to think has been seldom equalled. - [S37] Wikipedia (Reliability: 3).
He was among the new knights announced in the 1901 New Year Honours list,[5] and was knighted by King Edward VII at Marlborough House on 9 February 1901.[6][7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Harvey_(businessman)
- [S37] Wikipedia.