Sir William Harpur (c. 1496 – 27 February 1574) was an English merchant and philanthropist who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1561.

[1] In 1566, Harpur and his wife Alice gave a financial endowment to support several charities including ones focused on education.

[1] On 30 September 1562 he bought 13 acres of land and 3 roods of meadow for £180 13s at Holborn, which was just a little way outside the expanding city of London, and this was therefore a good investment.

[1] His widow arranged for the erection of a monumental brass to him, with the inscription: "Hereunder lieth buried the body of Sir William Harpur, knight, alderman and late Lord Mayor of the city of London, with Dame Margaret, his last wife".

The plaque is on the south wall of the church, and is supposed to have been moved away from the site of the tomb, making the word "hereunder" slightly incorrect.

[1] The Harpur Trust continues today, supporting education as well as leisure activities for the people of Bedford.