Papers of Professor Robert Edgeworth Johnstone (1900-1994), chemical engineer, 1937-1972

The collection comprises subject or case files compiled by Professor Edgeworth Johnstone during his research and professional practice. It is probable that the surviving files were compiled during his time as Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham, since the datable material covers the period 1960 to 1967. The files contain manuscript notes, correspondence and associated papers accumulated during this period. The files can generally be classified into three groups:

• The first and largest group consists of files relating to scientific research, including industrial chemical processes, compounds, pollution, 'scale-up', safety, research, development, education and patents.
• The second group of files primarily concerns methodological matters, including technical filing systems, 'work study', management, statistics, cost estimation and report writing.
• One file holds personal papers, concerning Edgeworth Johnstone's interest in sailing.

Lectures, reports and articles written by Edgeworth Johnstone include the titles: 'The transference of chemical processes from small to large scale operation' (1939); 'Potential markets for high-volatility petroleum coke in Brazil' for Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd (1937); 'Continuing education for engineers' (Helsinki, 1972); 'The future of pilot plants' (c.1961); 'Second survey of chemical engineering and practice' presented to the Institution of Chemical Engineers (1965); 'Scale effects in chemical plants' presented to the students and graduates section of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (1965); and 'Some thoughts on engineering education', given as his inaugural lecture as Lady Trent Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham (1962).

Robert Edgeworth Johnstone (1900-1994) was educated at Wellington College, Manchester College of Science and Technology (BSc), and the University of London (MSc and DSc). He was a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, and the Institute of Chemistry. His early career included periods as a chemical engineer at Petrocarbon Ltd, and Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd. From 1955 to 1958, he was assistant director of the Ministry of Supply's explosives ordnance factories before joining the Atomic Energy Agency.

Edgeworth Johnstone became Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham in 1960. He held the chair until retirement in 1967. He was made an honorary fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers in 1981. He died in 1994.

The files in the collection have been arranged alphabetically.

ACCESS: Access is restricted pending full processing of the items and release of complete finding aid; material can be made available by special advance arrangement.

LANGUAGE: English

• This description is the only finding aid available for the collection. Copyright on the description belongs to The University of Nottingham.

REPROGRAPHIC: Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

COPYRIGHT: Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk).

The collection was given to the University of Nottingham's Department of Manuscripts in April 1982.