Sir Harold Edwin Boulton, 2nd Baronet (1859–1935), was an English songwriter, philanthropist, and businessman best known for writing the lyrics to the “Skye Boat Song.” Born in Charlton, Kent, he was educated at Harrow and Balliol College, Oxford, where he developed a passion for music and literature.
After touring Canada, Harold joined his family’s timber and chemical business, later co-founding the Dominion Tar and Chemical Company in Nova Scotia. He held senior roles in several industrial associations and became a respected figure in British manufacturing.
Alongside his business career, Harold was deeply committed to social causes. He helped establish the Oxford House Settlement in Bethnal Green, the House of Shelter in Bow, and co-founded the Federation of Working Men’s Social Clubs, serving as its president for 35 years. He also supported the People’s Palace and the Mendicity Society, working tirelessly to improve conditions for the poor.
His musical legacy includes editing collections such as Songs of the North and Songs of Four Nations, and writing popular lyrics for traditional melodies, including “Glorious Devon” and “All Through the Night.” In recognition of his contributions to music, he became a director of the Royal Academy of Music in 1931.
Sir Harold inherited the baronetcy in 1918 and was honoured as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of the British Empire. He married twice and had three children. He died in London in 1935, aged 75, leaving behind a remarkable blend of cultural, charitable, and industrial achievements.
