Quintin Riley collection

The collection comprises of material relating to Riley's time in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Quintin Theodore Petroc Molesworth Riley was born on 27 October 1905. He was educated at Lancing College, where he met Henry George [Gino] Watkins, and Pembroke College, Cambridge, graduating in 1927. In 1930, he was enlisted as meteorologist on the British Arctic Air Route Expedition, 1930-1931 (leader Henry George Watkins), spending a further year in Greenland during the course of which Watkins was drowned. He then joined the British Graham Land Expedition, 1934-1937 (leader John Rymill), serving as meteorologist and commissariat officer.

A year after his return from the Antarctic, Riley joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. During the Second World War, he served in Norway and Iceland, advancing to the rank of lieutenant commander in 1943, and commanded intelligence assault units throughout Europe.

After the war, he maintained his polar interests, acting as adviser to the producers of the film Scott of the Antarctic and giving demonstrations on polar work at the Festival of Britain in 1951. Retiring to Essex, he became involved in local government and served as a member of the Church Assembly and later of the General Synod. He died in a motor accident on 25 December 1980.

Biographical work From pole to pole, the life of Quentin Riley 1905-1980 by Jonathan P. Riley, Bluntisham Books, Bluntisham (1989) SPRI Library Shelf 92[Riley, Q.]

The collection is split into two sub-fonds comprising of Arctic and Antarctic expedition material respectively

By appointment.

Some materials deposited at the Institute are NOT owned by the Institute. In such cases the archivist will advise about any requirements imposed by the owner. These may include seeking permission to read, extended closure, or other specific conditions.

Anyone wishing to consult material should ensure they note the entire MS reference and the name of the originator.

The term holograph is used when the item is wholly in the handwriting of the author. The term autograph is used when the author has signed the item.

The Scott Polar Research Institute holds a number of photographs, film and other illustrative material in the Picture Library, some of which covers the expeditions Riley was involved with. The catalogue can be searched on line by going to the Picture Library Database and selecting the Enter Polar Pictures link.

Descriptions compiled by N. Boneham, Assistant Archivist with assistance from R. Stancombe and reference to 'Quintin Riley' by William Lancelot Scott Fleming and David James in The Polar Record volume 20 number 128 May 1981 p464-465 and British polar exploration and research a historical and medallic record with biographies 1818-1999 by Lieutenant Colonel Neville W Poulsom and Rear Admiral John A L Myres, Savannah Publications, London (2000) SPRI Library Shelf 737.2 and Antarctic Chronology, unpublished corrected revision of Chronological list of Antarctic expeditions and related historical events by Robert Keith Headland (1 December 2001) Cambridge University Press (1989) ISBN 0521309034

Clive Holland Manuscripts in the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England - a catalogue, Garland Publishing New York and London (1982) ISBN 0824093941.

Additional finding aids are available at the Institute.

Copying material by photography, electrostat, or scanning device by readers is prohibited. The Institute may be able to provide copies of some documents on request for lodgement in publicly available repositories. This is subject to conservation requirements, copyright law, and payment of fees.

Copyright restrictions apply to most material. The copyright may lie outside the Institute and, if so, it is necessary for the reader to seek appropriate permission to consult, copy, or publish any such material. (The Institute does not seek this permission on behalf of readers). Written permission to publish material subject to the Institute's copyright must be obtained from the Director. Details of conditions and fees may be had from the Archivist.

Further accessions possible.

The Scott Polar Research Institute holds a number of photographs, film and other illustrative material in the Picture Library, some of which covers the expeditions Riley served on. The catalogue can be searched on line by going to the Picture Library Database and selecting the Enter Polar Pictures link.