PITMAN, Sir Isaac James, 1901-1985, Knight, politician

Scope and Content

Papers of Sir Isaac James Pitman, [1940-1972], mainly relating to his political career, notably the nationalisation of the Bank of England and the gas industry, and his work for the World Security Authority. The collection also contains printed material relating to Boots and Glaxo.

Administrative / Biographical History

Born 1901; educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford University; played rugby for Oxford University, 1921, and for England, 1922; won Middle Weight Public Schools Boxing, 1919; Bursar, Duke of York's and King's Camp, 1933-1939; Chairman, Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons Ltd, 1934-1966; served World War Two as a member of the RAF 1940-1943 (Acting Squadron Leader); Director, Bank of England, 1941-1945; Director of Organisation and Methods, HM Treasury, 1943-1945; Conservative MP for Bath, 1945-1964; KBE, 1961; Chairman, Royal Society of Teachers; Chairman of Council, Initial Teaching Alphabet Foundation and National Centre for Cued Speech (for the deaf child); Life President, UK Federation of ita Schools; Member of the Committee, National Foundation for Educational Research (which conducted comparative researches into reasons for reading failure in earliest stages of learning); Member, Committee advising Public Trustee under Will of late George Bernard Shaw in carrying out his wishes for design and publication of a proposed British alphabet; Charter Pro-Chancellor, Bath University; Honorary President, Parliamentary Group for World Government; Vice-President, Institute of Administrative Management, 1965-1969; Vice-President: British and Foreign School Society; Member, British Association for Commercial and Industrial Education; Member, National Union of Teachers; died 1985.

Arrangement

Unsorted.

Access Information

Closed until listed.

Acquisition Information

Given by Sir Isaac James Pitman in 1972 and 1973.

Other Finding Aids

Unlisted.

Archivist's Note

Sources: Who's Who 1897-1996 (A & C Black, 1996); British Library On-Line Public Access Catalogue 97; Historical Manuscripts Commission National Register of Archives. Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright retained by the depositor.