Title
Papers relating to the work of Maudslay and Company and Maudslay, Sons and Field (1807-1902) and to the work of the Maudslay Society (1920-1971)
Reference
MAUD
Production date
1807 - 1971
Creator
- Petree, James FosterBiographyBiography
(1893-1970), historian of technology
James Foster Petree was born on the 23rd of November 1893 in Prenton, Birkenhead. After he had matriculated at Wallasey, he entered a five-year apprenticeship at the marine engine works of what in 1903 had become Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd., which included drawing office work, time in the shops and trial trips of ships. After the outbreak of the First World War, in 1915 Petree joined the Admiralty staff, serving in the Engineer-in-Chief's Department and the Warship Production Department, on the Clyde, the Tyne and Southampton. In 1919 Petree joined Gwynnes Ltd. of Hammersmith as senior draughtsman on centrifugal pump work. In 1923 he joined J. Hamilton Gibson, consulting Engineer and adviser to Michell Bearings Ltd. and in 1928 was taken into partnership.
In September 1930, Petree joined the Newcomen Society and became a Member of Council in 1936; served as Honorary Treasurer from 1941 to 1963; was elected Vice-President in 1944; and was installed as President on 21 November 1951. On 1st May 1968 he was awarded the Dickinson Memorial Medal for his lecture on "Engineering Biography". One of his great enthusiasms was for the work of Henry Maudslay (1771-1831) and our knowledge of Maudslay's work has been greatly enhanced by Petree's researches. He served as President of the Maudslay Society in 1964-66.
Petree's literary work resulted in him becoming Assistant Editor of the journal 'Engineering' in 1937, joint Editor with Charles Copper in 1939 and sole Editor in 1949. He retired from the editorship on the 31st December 1953 but remained a Director of Engineering Ltd. until the sale of 'Engineering' to the International Publishing Corporation in 1970. Petree was a member (later a fellow) of the Institution of Mechanical engineers, of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. On the 1st January 1954, he was appointed European Correspondent to 'Mechanical Engineering', the monthly journal of the ASME. He was one of the early members of the Railway & Canal Historical Society, elected on 28 January 1955, and served on the Council. He died suddenly on the 14th September 1970.
Scope and Content
These papers were largely collected by J Foster Petree, a President of both the Newcomen Society (1951-53) and the Maudslay Society (1964-66).
Extent
3 archive boxes
Language
English
Level of description
TOP
Repository name
Science Museum, London
Associated people and organisations
- Henry Maudslay and CompanyBiographyBiography
Henry Maudslay and Company, an engineering firm, was established by Henry Maudslay in 1798 after he left working for Joseph Bramah. The company had premises in Wells Road, off Oxford Street, and then in Margaret Street, Marylebone.
The companies first major commission was to build a series of 42 woodworking machines to produce wooden rigging blocks (each ship required thousands) for the Navy under Sir Marc Isambard Brunel. The machines were installed in the purpose-built Portsmouth Block Mills, which still survive, including some of the original machinery.
Many outstanding engineers trained or developed their expertise in his workshop. In 1810 the company moved to Lambeth and became Maudslay and Field when Henry took on a partner, Joshua Field. It later became Maudslay, Sons and Field when Henry's Sons joined the firm.
- Maudslay, Sons and Field LimitedBiographyBiography
Maudslay Sons & Field Ltd, mechanical and marine engineers and boilermakers
Maudslay Sons & Field Ltd originated in 1798 when Henry Maudslay founded Henry Maudslay and Co. Henry's Sons joined as well as Joshua Field so in 1822 Maudslay, Son and Field was founded. In 1831 Henry Maudslay died and his sons Thomas Henry Maudslay and Joseph Maudslay continued the business with Field, the company becoming Maudslay, Sons and Field in 1833.
In 1889 the company took limited status for the engineering business of Westminster Bridge Road. In 1894 the company built the 'Gigantic Wheel' at Earl's Court. The same year they
Walter H. Maudslay is chairman and managing director of the company in 1895 until his retirement in 1899. Field also retired, in 1898, just before the company was in financial trouble and closed down in 1900.
Their engine works site was located at Lambeth Marsh, London
- Maudslay SocietyBiographyBiography
The Maudslay Society was founded in 1942 by various engineers who had received their early training with Maudslay Sons & Field at the end of the 1890’s. They formed the Society to 'perpetuate and preserve the memory and work of Henry Maudslay and his associates and successors'. The Society now funds a postgraduate engineering fellowship, the Maudslay Scholarship, with Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Conditions governing access
Open Access
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions
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