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  • Title
    Papers relating to Francis Trevithick's biography of his father Richard Trevithick
  • Reference
    TREVF
  • Production date
    1746 - 1979
  • Creator
    • Trevithick, FrancisBiography
  • 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, RichardBiography
  • Subject
  • 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
  • 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.