Harry Peach

Harry Hardy Peach (1874–24 January 1936)[1] was an English businessman and author involved in campaigning for improved conditions in factories and the establishment of the Design and Industries Association and the Council for the Preservation of Rural England.

[3] After leaving school, Peach worked with his father for a short time as an estate agent before opening a specialist bookshop in Leicester dealing in manuscripts and early printed books.

[5] By 1912, the company had expanded to a workforce of 50 and moved into larger premises, where he joined forces with designer William Pick to set up Dryad Metal Works, supplying architectural and household fittings manufactured in copper, brass and wrought iron.

[4] During World War I, Peach began promoting craft work as a form of occupational therapy for wounded and disabled servicemen and donated large quantities of cane offcuts for this purpose.

In 1906, to support Ramsay MacDonald's (successful) campaign to be elected as one of Leicester's members of parliament, Peach organised an exhibition on the poor industrial working conditions in the city.

[2] Marina Peach was also involved in the suffragette movement and campaigned for the improvement of health care for working class women.

Peach was also active in campaigns to preserve the countryside and prevent the uncontrolled expansion of towns and cities and unregulated advertising.

[3] Pat Kirkham (then a Senior Lecturer at Leicester Polytechnic) wrote a detailed biography, published in 1986 by The Design Council.