Gordon Scarrott Papers

Scope and Content

The Scarrott papers include correspondence files dating from Scarrott's period at the Research and Advanced Development Organisation (NAHC/SCA/B), including papers relating to a legal dispute between the University of Manchester and ICL Ltd. NAHC/SCA/C contains some of Scarrott's later working papers including those on Basic Language Machines.

Administrative / Biographical History

Gordon Scarrott was manager of ICL Research and Advanced Development Organisation (RADC), and having previously worked at Ferranti Ltd. Scarrott was involved in the invention of the torsional delay line and later the outline specification of Sirius and the development of Orion. At ICL he was associated with the 'slave store' concept, the Basic Language Machine and the development of optical storage and pattern recognition systems. Scarrott was also known for his theories of information engineering which he promoted forcefully via many presentations and published papers during his retirement years.

Access Information

The collection is open to any accredited reader.

The collection includes material which is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998. Under Section 33 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA), The University of Manchester Library (UML) holds the right to process personal data for research purposes. The Data Protection (Processing of Sensitive Personal Data) Order 2000 enables the UML to process sensitive personal data for research purposes. In accordance with the DPA, UML has made every attempt to ensure that all personal and sensitive personal data has been processed fairly, lawfully and accurately. Users of the archive are expected to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, and will be required to sign a form acknowledging that they will abide by the requirements of the Act in any further processing of the material by themselves.

Acquisition Information

Unknown

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopies and photographic copies of material in the archive can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents.

A number of items within the archive remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study.

Prior written permission must be obtained from the Library for publication or reproduction of any material within the archive. Please contact the Head of Special Collections, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH.

Custodial History

Unknown

Geographical Names