Thomas Harriat 1588-1653
Thomas HARRIAT or HARRYAT 1588-1653
Biographical Note
Biographical details have not been traced, beyond the fact that he was born at Wollaston, Northamptonshire, and that he was a skinner in London. His will, which makes extensive monetary and charitable bequests, shows that he was quite wealthy.
Books
We do not know anything about Harriat's personal library, but in his will he directed that copies of specified religious books - a "faire Bible in folio", a three-volume set of the works of William Perkins, and a three-volume set of Foxe's Acts and monuments - be purchased and given to four male relatives (his brother, and three nephews). Each book was to be bound with his name, arms, date of birth and death, and the arms of the Skinners' Company stamped on the covers. Surviving books (e.g.National Art Library CLE S5, Brasenose Oxford Latham G.2.4) show that these instructions were carried out.