An American abortion pioneer died in the UK aged 93 after being sectioned due to dementia, an inquest has heard.
Dr Horace Hale Harvey III, born in New Orleans in December 1931, opened one of the first independent abortion clinics in the US in July 1970.
The clinic, called Women’s Services and located in Manhattan, New York, provided safe and affordable abortions for women after after New York reformed its laws.
Prior to the opening of his transformative clinic, the medical doctor, who had a Ph.D in philosophy, had been performing illegal abortions in New Orleans.
He also became a preferred provider of the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion, a network of ministers and rabbis who confidentially referred women to medical professionals with a reputation of providing safe terminations.
In 1972, Dr Harvey moved to the Isle of Wight where he worked for public health services before relocating to Dorset after his house burnt down in 2014.
The innovative physician was said to have chosen the small UK coastal isle as ‘according to his research, it had the highest average temperature and received more hours of sunlight than anywhere else in England’.
He died in Dorchester on February 14 of this year due to complications from a fall, his daughter Kate Harvey revealed.
Dr Horace Hale Harvey III (pictured), born in New Orleans in December 1931, opened one of the first independent abortion clinics in the US in July 1970. The clinic, Women’s Services, provided safe and affordable abortions for women after after New York reformed its laws
Prior to the opening of his transformative clinic, the medical doctor (pictured), who had a Ph.D in philosophy, had been performing illegal abortions in New Orleans. He also became a preferred provider of the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion
An obituary by the New York Times described Dr Harvey as an abortion provider who had sought to ‘combat what he felt was an epidemic of unsafe abortions at a time when unmarried women were denied access to contraceptives, and when comprehensive sex education was discouraged’.
Meanwhile, Arlene Carmen and the Rev. Howqard Moody previously described Dr Harvey as having a ‘unique style’ with an ‘imagination to provide extras that no other “illegal” abortionist would have even considered’.
He was said to have provided fizzy drinks and cookies to patients after the procedure, alongside decorating the operating room with bright colours.
Prior to the implementation of Roe v. Wade legislation, Dr Harvey’s office was known to be one of the most important abortion clinics across the US, operating seven days a week.
After moving to the UK in the early 1970s, Dr Harvey resumed his philosophy studies and even showed up for classes at the University of Cambridge, despite not being enrolled as a student at the prestigious institution.
A catastrophic fire destroyed the home that he had previously shared with his former wife, Helen Cox, and their two children, eventually prompting the move to Dorset.
In a statement read to the Bournemouth inquest, Kate said that her father was ‘very determined’ to keep healthy by walking a mile and doing 20 squats each day.
She added that her father, who was ‘committed to Aristotelian ethics and scientific learning’ also ‘enjoyed laughter and making up jokes’, alongside activities such as dance, table tennis and snooker.
In 1972, Dr Harvey (pictured) moved to the Isle of Wight where he worked for public health services before relocating to Dorset after his house burnt down in 2014. An obituary by the New York Times described Dr Harvey as an abortion provider who had sought to ‘combat what he felt was an epidemic of unsafe abortions’
Dr Harvey was sadly found dead in his bed at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester (pictured) on February 14. A Bournemouth inquest heard that in late 2024, Dr Harvey was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and PTSD following a catastrophic fire at his home 10 years prior
The inquest heard that in late 2024, Dr Harvey was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and PTSD after the house fire 10 years earlier.
On January 22 this year, he was taken to Dorset County Hospital having suffered a rib fracture due to a fall at home.
Due to physiotherapists’ concerns at Dr Harvey’s ability to understand care instructions, he was later assessed by psychiatrists and detained under the mental health act.
Coroner Richard Middleton said that Dr Harvey was increasingly experiencing delirium and paranoia.
Dr Harvey was sadly found dead in his hospital bed in the early hours of February 14.
A post-mortem examination found his cause of death to be schaemic heart disease and coronary artery disease.
Recording a conclusion of death by natural causes, the coroner explained that the inquest had to be held by law because Dr Harvey was formally detained by the state at the time of his death.
Mr Middleton added: ‘I express my deepest condolences to all of Dr Harvey’s family and friends for their loss.’
Dr Harvey is survived by his daughter Kate, son Russell and three grandchildren.