Sir John Harington, Thomas Crapper, and the flush toilet

South Med J. 1978 Sep;71(9):1145-7. doi: 10.1097/00007611-197809000-00026.

Abstract

With the population explosion of the last century, major changes in sewage removal and sanitation were necessary. Two men offered important designs for the modern flush toilet. Sir John Harington was a poet in 16th Century England, while Thomas Crapper was a plumber and businessman in the same country 300 years later. Harington will be remembered for eloquent words about the toilet and Crapper may be assured even greater remembrance for selling toilets and being named Crapper.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • England
  • Famous Persons*
  • History, 16th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • Literature, Modern
  • Toilet Facilities / history*

Personal name as subject

  • J Harington
  • T Crapper