GROOM, Professor Percy (1865-1931)

Scope and Content

Papers of Professor Percy Groom, [1917-1930], comprising files of correspondence, reports and papers relating to timber technology, notably concerning machinery and apparatus, tests and test machines, 1918-1927; Royal Aircraft Establishment reports, 1918; supply of aeroplane timbers to Egypt, 1917; correspondence with Indian Munitions Board, Royal Air Force (India) concerning the use of timbers for aircraft construction, 1918-1919; types, properties and testing of timber, 1917-1920; use of plywood in aircraft construction, 1917; work for the Manilla Hemp Association, [1920]; dry rot, 1925-1926; wood pulp; seasoning and Powell process of seasoning, 1917; specific gravity of wood; water in wood, including warping tests; preservation of mine timbers, [1917]; analyses of infected imported timbers, 1920-1927; fireproofing, 1917-1927; home grown timbers, [1919].

Administrative / Biographical History

Born, 1865; educated at Mason College, Birmingham; University of Bonn; studied natural science, Trinity College Cambridge; Frank Smart Student of Botany, Gonville and Caius College, 1888-1889; Professor of Botany and Arboriculture, Imperial College, Wampoa, China, 1889-1892; Mandarin of the White Button, 1892; joined Exeter College Oxford, 1892-1898; Lecturer in Plant Physiology, Edinburgh University, 1898; head of the Biological Departments, Royal Indian Engineering College, Coopers Hill, 1899-1905, and University College Reading; Lecturer in Botany, Northern Polytechnic Institute, Holloway, 1907-1908; Assistant Professor of Botany, Imperial College, 1908-1911; Professor of the Technology of Woods and Fibres, Imperial College, 1911-1931; elected Fellow of the Royal Society; died, 1931. Publications: include: Elementary Botany (G Bell & Sons, London, 1898); Trees and their Life Histories ... Illustrated from photographs by Henry Irving (Cassell & Co, London, 1907); Bell's Science Series 7 vol editor with George Minchin (George Bell & Sons, London, 1900-1909).

Access Information

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

The files were transferred from the Botany Department to the College Archives by Dr J Levy. The original file covers were in poor condition and destroyed, but the file numbers were retained.

Other Finding Aids

A catalogue is available at the College Archives.

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.

Related Material

Correspondence, 1909-1924 (KB), held at Imperial College.

Geographical Names