LINSTEAD, Sir Patrick (1902-1966)

This material is held atImperial College London, Archives and Corporate Records Unit

Scope and Content

Papers of Sir Patrick Linstead, 1916-1968 (presented by Lady Linstead), comprising biographical papers, 1916-1968, including certificates of honours and awards, letters of congratulation, non-scientific writings, desk diaries whilst Rector of Imperial College, 1955-1966; notebooks and working papers, [1920]-1963, comprising notebooks of students days, early work at Imperial College, research at Harvard, research at Imperial College from 1949; drafts and manuscripts for lectures and publications, 1947-1966, (some of which are not listed in the official bibliography); papers relating to Linstead's work as consultant and service on committees, including his Chairmanship of the British Association Study Group on the education of the graduate scientist, 1938-1960; correspondence, 1948-[1966]; papers relating to his Rectorship of Imperial College, 1954-1967, comprising biographical and obituary notices, 1966-1967; appointment as Rector, 1954-1955; speeches, addresses and lectures, 1956-1966; papers and correspondence relating to the Committee on management and control of research and development, 1958-1962, Committee on Higher Education, 1961-1964; correspondence relating to the London School of Economics Court of Governors, 1960-1965, Science Masters' Association, 1961-1963, Association for Science Education, 1964-1965; papers relating to visits, 1955-1957, including to European universities and institutions; correspondence, 1954-1966, notably concerning the Consort Club, 1957-1962, academic salaries, 1959, with Harold Johann Thomas Ellingham, [1954-1965], John Frederick Wolfenden, [1954-1965], dinner in hall, 1955-1958, proposed International Institute of Science and Technology, 1961-1963; correspondence concerning Linstead Memorial, 1966-1968; papers concerning a visit to India, 1963-1964; Congress of the Universities of the Commonwealth visit to Imperial College, 1963; proposed International Institute of Science and Technology, 1961-1963.

Administrative / Biographical History

Born London, 1902; educated at the City of London School; read chemistry at Imperial College, London and graduated, 1923; awarded PhD, 1926; Demonstrator and Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, 1929-1938; Firth Professor of Chemistry at Sheffield University, 1938; Chair of Organic Chemistry at Harvard University, 1939-1945; elected Fellow of the Royal Society, 1940; Deputy Director of Scientific Research in the Ministry of Supply, UK, 1942; Director of the Chemical Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at Teddington, 1945; Professor of Organic Chemistry, Imperial College, 1949; Rector of Imperial College, 1955-1966; Knighted, 1959; Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, 1960-1965; died, 1966. Publications: A Course in Modern Techniques of Organic Chemistry with J A Elvidge and Margaret Whalley (Butterworths Scientific Publications, London, 1955); Chemistry and the Amenities of Life; The Future of the Imperial College, etc [London, 1955]; A Guide to Qualitative Organic Chemical Analysis with Basil Charles Leicester Weedon (Butterworths Scientific Publications, London, 1956).

Access Information

Public

Researchers wishing to consult the Archives should first contact the College Archivist, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, for an appointment.

Acquisition Information

Transferred from the National Cataloguing Unit for the Archives of Contemporary Scientists, University of Bath, and from the Rector's office and College Departments to the College Archives.

Other Finding Aids

A catalogue is available in the reading room of the College Archives (CSAC catalogue no 30/7/75).

Separated Material

Papers relating to his service as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, held by the Royal Society.

Conditions Governing Use

A photocopying service is available at the discretion of the Archivist. Photocopies are supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archivist.

Custodial History

Lady Linstead, widow, presented some of Sir Patrick's papers to the National Cataloguing Unit for the Archives of Contemporary Scientists, University of Bath, in 1974.

Related Material

Records held at Imperial College relating to his Rectorship, [1955-1966], notably of the Governing Body (GB), Board of Studies (GC), Adminstration department, (GD), Expansion Schemes (I), departmental records (K); letters to Marjorie Walters, 1941-42.