Mark Walrod Harrington (August 18, 1848 – September 10, 1926) was an American scientist who studied and published works in multiple disciplines, including botany,[1][2] astronomy,[3] meteorology,[4][5] and geology.

From 1879 to 1891, Harrington was professor of astronomy and director of the Detroit Observatory of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

During this time, he published an astronomical observation recorded by Johan Ludvig Emil Dreyer as NGC 7040 in the New General Catalogue.

Then, in 1908, his son came across a newspaper article about a mysterious man who was admitted to the State Asylum for the Insane at Morristown, in Morris Plains, New Jersey.

[10] According to news accounts, Harrington had lost his memory but after several years at the psychiatric institution in Morris Plains, developed a fondness for music.