Adlib Internet Server 5

Title
Papers relating to Francis Trevithick's biography of his father Richard Trevithick
Reference
TREVF
Production date
1746 - 1979

Creator

Trevithick, Francis Biography Biography
Francis Trevithick (1812–1877) (also known to as Frank) was the eldest surviving son of Richard Trevithick (1771–1833) and Jane Harvey, engineer and inventor of the high pressure steam engine. In 1842 he was appointed the Resident Engineer on the Grand Junction Railway between Birmingham and Crewe and in 1841 became Locomotive Superintendent at the Grand Junction Railway’s works at Edge Hill. In 1843 he was transferred to Crewe Works, London and North Western Railway as Locomotive Superintendent, (Northern Division). In 1857 the North and North-Eastern Division were combined, Francis was forced to resign and was succeeded by John Ramsbottom. He went on to become factor of the Trehidy estates, Cornwall of which his grandfather had been the mineral agent in the eighteenth century. He died in Cornwall on 27 October 1877. Francis Trevithick was married to Mary Ewart (1819-1889) and had four children: Richard, Robert, Francis and Jane. He published a bibliography of his father called 'Life of Richard Trevithick' in 1872.

Scope and Content
The collection comprises of the papers mostly accumulated by Francis Trevithick in the course of writing a biography of his father 'A Life of Richard Trevithick', published in 1872, and later additions by unknown sources. Bulk of the records are from 19th century. Later additions of 20th century records are by unknown sources and consist mainly of printed materials. (see TREVF/5). Papers include original and copy letters from different senders on various topics including Richard Trevithick’s time in South America, his work on steam pumps for mines and his involvement in the development of steam locomotives. Also in the collection are various maps and plans, generally of engines and pumps designed by Richard Trevithick, photographs relating to the Trevithick family and notes compiled by Francis Trevithick in the writing of the biography. The collection also includes a selection of published works relating to Richard Trevithick in the form of books, articles from journals and newspaper cuttings, some of which date from the 1970s.
Extent
2 boxes
Physical description
Good condition. Some items have been professionally conserved, Some maps and plans are on tracing paper and are very fragile.
Language
English, French
Archival history
Francis Trevithick (1812–1877) brought together the majority of this collection for the purpose of writing a biography of his father Richard Trevithick (1771–1833). It includes records written by his father that were then accumulated by Francis. Collection also includes printed material added after the publishing of the biography in 1872 and the death of Francis in 1877 by unknown person(s). The original impetus for writing the biography appears to have come from John Enys who contacted Francis Trevithick on inheriting a collection of Trevithick papers which had previously been in the possession of Davies (Giddy) Gilbert (1767-1839), a friend and mentor of Richard Trevithick. Purchased by the National Railway Museum from Onslow’s Auctions, 2002.
Level of description
TOP
Repository name
National Railway Museum, York

Associated people and organisations

Trevithick, Richard Biography Biography
(1771-1833), Engineer Born in 1771 in Cornwall, Richard Trevithick was a practical engineer who developed high pressure steam engines. In 1800 he built the first of the double-acting stationary engine which was the forerunner of the famous ‘Cornish engines’. Between 1801 and 1803 he built three steam-powered road locomotives. In 1803 he built the first practical railway locomotive, a tram engine for Coalbrookdale. After that he constructed the ‘Pen-y-darren’ locomotive for Samuel Homfray, partner in the ‘Pen-y-darren Tramway’ in south Wales. Although this was not a success due to the quality of the track rather than the locomotive, it was a proof of principle. Trevithick built two more railway locomotives: one in Gateshead in 1805, possibly for the Wylam Waggon Way (which was again let down by the poor quality of the rails), and, in 1808, the ‘Catch me who Can’, for an exhibition in London. He is also important for demonstrating that a smooth wheel running on smooth iron rails was capable of hauling considerable loads. He was involved in the unsuccessful project to drive a tunnel under the Thames from Rotherhithe. In 1816 he left his family and went to South America where he was involved in mining ventures in Peru. These also were ultimately unsuccessful, in part due to the wars of independence, and Trevithick returned, penniless, to England in 1827. Despite the setbacks he experienced, Trevithick’s inventive capacity was undiminished. His last patent was granted in 1832. He went to work for J. Hall in Dartford where he died on 22nd April 1833. He was married to Jane Harvey (1772 – 1868/9), daughter of another Cornish engineer, John Harvey of Hayle Foundry and had six children, Francis and Frederick Henry, who both became engineers, and Richard, John, Ann and Elizabeth.

Subject
Railways
Locomotive engineers
Conditions governing access
Access is given in accordance with the NRM access policy. Material from this archive is available to researchers through Search Engine
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied of items in the archive, provided that the copying process used does not damage the item or is not detrimental to its preservation. Copies will be supplied in accordance with the NRM’s terms and conditions for the supply and reproduction of copies, and the provisions of any relevant copyright legislation.

Related object

Collection of letters and accounts relating to Richard Trevithick's patent on a portable high pressure steam engine Notes Notes

Appraisal
None.
System of arrangement
2002-8348 has been divided into categories of published materials, plans and maps, letters, photographs and notes relating to Richard Trevithick(1771–1833). Many of the letters in the collection had been filed in envelopes, apparently in the course of research done on them in the latter part of the twentieth century, and as far as possible such arrangements have been retained, along with the envelopes themselves which include typed or handwritten notes relating to their contents. Beyond this the categories have each been arranged in chronological order to reflect the development of research into Richard Trevithick’s life. The system of arrangement has been preserved when converting the catalogue to Adlib in 2017.