Henry Harben (insurer)

Sir Henry Harben (24 August 1823 – 2 December 1911) was a British pioneer of industrial life assurance.

After a few years in his uncle's stores, Harben was articled to a surveyor, but left that calling in March 1852, when he became accountant of the Prudential Mutual Assurance, Investment and Loan Association.

Harben was appointed secretary of the Prudential on 26 June 1856, and soon proved that industrial life assurance was practicable.

Between 1889 and 1897 he gave large sums to assist the company in their various schemes of technical education and social philanthropy.

These benefactions included an endowment for technical lectures and a gold medal in connection with the Institute of Public Health.

The Convalescent Home for Working Men at Rustington, Littlehampton, the erection and partial endowment of which cost him over £50,000, was founded in 1895 and opened in 1897.

It remained under his own management and that of his son during their lives, and then reverted to the Carpenters' Company, which now contributes liberally to its support.

[2] Harben's London house for nearly half a century was at Hampstead, and he keenly interested himself in local affairs.

[2] Harben died at his Sussex residence on 2 December 1911, and was buried at Kensal Green cemetery.