Papers mostly relating to the technical side of cycling, ranging from 1890s-1980s, although 1960s-1980s are contemporary to Whitt. These include brochures, catalogues, newspaper/magazine clippings, correspondence, reports, Whitt's own notes and calculations, and some photographs/slides of bicycles. Also included in the collection are issues of various cycling journals, and published books ranging from 1870-1980, amongst which there is an original two-volume publication by C. Bourlet from 1898, entitled Nouveau Traité Des Bicycles Et Bicyclettes, I and II.
Books and papers of Frank Rowland Whitt
Archive Collection
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- ReferenceGB 152 NCA/49
- Dates of Creation1870s-1980s
- Name of Creator
- Language of MaterialEnglish
- Physical Description28 boxes
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Frank Rowland Whitt (1911-1984), C. Eng., F. I. Chem. E., was the principal author of 'Bicycling Science' (published 1974 and 1982), with David Gordon Wilson. He was involved in the editing and writing of various cycling journals, and he was also the President of the Southern Veteran-Cycle Club from 1971-1974. Due to his enthusiasm for everything to do with bicycling, Whitt left a bequest to the Cyclists' Touring Club after his death on 18 February 1984, as a result of which the National Cycle Archive was established. Reference: Frank Rowland Whitt and David Gordon Wilson, 'Bicycling Science '(The MIT Press, 1976, 1982).
The contents of this collection seem to all have contributed to the production of Bicycling Science.
Arrangement
Originally comprising 42 box files each individually titled and divided into 17 sections. It has now been re-boxed reflecting the former order, but omitting the original numbers so as to avoid confusion. Duplicates in the National Cycle Archive have been weeded.
Access Information
This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/
Acquisition Information
This collection was given to the Centre by the Science Museum, London, 1 March 2005.
Other Finding Aids
Link to full catalogue: https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/NCA/1/66
Conditions Governing Use
There are no restrictions on the use of this archive, apart from the requirements of copyright law and the Data Protection Act, 1998.
Custodial History
Frank Rowland Whitt willed his books and papers to Fred Delong and David Gordon Wilson, co-author with Whitt of 'Bicycling Science'. D G Wilson had part of the collection copied onto microfiches and distributed to major centres of bicycling research. In turn the Science Museum, London, received the collection as a gift from David Gordon Wilson.
Accruals
Further deposits are not expected.