The papers of Sir Albert Howard

Family and professional papers relating to Sir Albert Howard and his wives Gabrielle and Louise Matthaei. The collection includes correspondence and diaries, drafts of publications and lectures, published works, photographs, and personal documents.

Albert Howard was born at Bishops Castle, Shropshire in 1873 the son of a farmer. His experience of working on the family farm in his youth influenced his practical approach to agricultural science throughout his professional life. After gaining an associateship in chemistry at the Royal College of Science he took his BA in Natural Sciences at St John’s graduating with first class honours in 1899. From 1905 he was imperial economic botanist to the government of India, running the research station at Pusa until 1924 with his wife, Gabrielle Louise Caroline Matthaei. Together they established the Institute of Plant Industry at Indore in 1924, where their work on soil fertility led to the development of the Indore process of composting. Following Gabrielle’s death in 1930, Howard returned to the UK, marrying in 1931 his sister-in-law Louise Ernestine Matthaei, who supported his work as his first wife had. Howard was knighted in 1934. Throughout the 1930s Howard travelled worldwide advising agriculturalists in Africa, Asia and Europe on composting methods. Until his death in 1947 he wrote and spoke on organic cultivation. The foundation of the Soil Association in 1946 was largely due to his influence.

Documents written by Albert Howard have been kept in chronological order, almost as received (items that were misfiled in dated bundles have now been filed chronologically). The remainder of the collection is arranged thematically.

Open for consultation

Given by Charlotte Matthaei, March 2020.

Albert Howard was born at Bishops Castle, Shropshire in 1873 the son of a farmer. His experience of working on the family farm in his youth influenced his practical approach to agricultural science throughout his professional life. After gaining an associateship in chemistry at the Royal College of Science he took his BA in Natural Sciences at St John’s graduating with first class honours in 1899. From 1905 he was imperial economic botanist to the government of India, running the research station at Pusa until 1924 with his wife, Gabrielle Louise Caroline Matthaei. Together they established the Institute of Plant Industry at Indore in 1924, where their work on soil fertility led to the development of the Indore process of composting. Following Gabrielle’s death in 1930, Howard returned to the UK, marrying in 1931 his sister-in-law Louise Ernestine Matthaei, who supported his work as his first wife had. Howard was knighted in 1934. Throughout the 1930s Howard travelled worldwide advising agriculturalists in Africa, Asia and Europe on composting methods. Until his death in 1947 he wrote and spoke on organic cultivation. The foundation of the Soil Association in 1946 was largely due to his influence.

Preferred citation: St John's College Library, the papers of Sir Albert Howard.

The Albert Howard Society at Bishops Castle, Shropshire, has digitized copies of much of the material.

These papers were preserved by the Matthaei family, and loaned to the Albert Howard Society for digitization prior to deposit at St John's Library.

Published