IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0098 B/HUMPHREY
Held at: Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine
Title: HUMPHREY, Herbert Alfred (1868-1951)
Date(s): Created 1883-1945
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 7 boxes
Name of creator(s): Humphrey | Herbert Alfred | 1868-1951 | engineer
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Born, Gospel Oak, London, 1868; educated at Finsbury Technical College, Mechanical Engineering Department, Central Institution (later City and Guilds College), 1885; Associateship of the City and Guilds Institute, 1887; Manager of the Engine and Electrical Department at the Newton Heath Iron Works, Heenan and Froude Ltd, 1888; Manager of the Birmingham branch of Heenan and Froude, 1889; Manager of the Refined Bicarbonate and Crystal Department, Messrs Brunner Mond and Company, Northwich, Cheshire, 1891; Fellow of the City and Guilds Institute, 1893; started practice as a consulting engineer, 1901; patented the 'Humphrey Pump', 1906; worked for the Admiralty, 1914; elected member of the Royal Institution, 1914; Technical Adviser, Department of Explosive Supplies, Ministry of Munitions, 1915; Technical Adviser and Chief Engineer, Munitions Inventions Department, Ministry of Munitions, 1917; Director and Consulting Engineer to Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates Limited, 1919; Consulting Engineer to Imperial Chemical Industries, 1926-1931; Fellow of Imperial College, 1932; Melchett medal of the Institute of Fuel, 1939; died, South Africa, 1951.
Publications: Papers on large gas engines, gas producers and similar subjects.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of Herbert Alfred Humphrey, 1883-1945, comprising volume of testimonials, letters of introduction, 1887-1915; correspondence, 1900-1918, notably with the Admiralty concerning proposals for a torpedo, 1914, Ministry of Munitions concerning chemical plants, 1917-1918; correspondence with Brunner, Mond and Co, 1890-1919, relating to his employment with the company, experiments with TNT, 1890-1919, and notes and diagrams on the manufacture of calcium nitrate, 1916; correspondence relating to Industrial Chemical Industries, 1920-1946, concerning chemical manufacture, his employment; papers concerning Brunner, Mond and Co, [1930]-1948, comprising notes concerning the history of the chemical plant at Billingham, [1930];
correspondence concerning enemy attack, technical education, 1940-1948; reports and correspondence relating to the Department of Explosive Supplies, Ministry of Munitions, 1915-1917, concerning TNT, manufacture of ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, explosives trials; reports relating to war service, 1914-1919, concerning the purification of TNT, shells, Hausser process; correspondence and printed papers relating to war service, 1916, inventions, 1939-1944;
correspondence with professional institutes, 1887-1938; letters, papers and reports relating to visits, annual dinners, 1886-1945; patents, 1895-1934, relating to engines, purifying gases and raising liquids; papers relating to the Metropolitan Water Board, 1909-1913, concerning water pumps; engineering drawings of pump schemes never built [1910-1912]; papers and diagrams concerning projected installation of Humphrey pumps at El Mex, Egypt, 1911-1914; articles, mostly concerning the Humphrey Pump, 1909-1936; photographs and papers relating to the Humphrey Pump, 1913;
student notebooks made whilst a student at Finsbury Technical College and Central Institution, 1883-1887.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
The papers were arranged in packets or folders, and an alphabetical system was used to list the papers as outlined in the scope and content.
Conditions governing access:
Researchers wishing to consult the Archives should first contact the College Archivist, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, for an appointment.
Conditions governing reproduction:
A photocopying service is available at the discretion of the Archivist. Photocopies are supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archivist.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
A catalogue is available in the reading room of the College Archives.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
The papers were presented by Dr J Humphrey, the son of H A Humphrey, in 1970. Much of H A Humphrey's papers were destroyed in 1948. His notebooks made when a student were probably presented to the College in the 1930s.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Records relating to Finsbury Technical College (FA), City and Guilds College (FC-FS) and City and Guilds of London Institute (F), held at Imperial College.
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Sources: Who Was Who (A & C Black, 1961, volume V); British Library On-Line Public Access Catalogue 97; National Register of Archives. Compiled by Julie Tancell as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.
Date(s) of descriptions: November 2000