Arthur Raistrick
Encyclopedia
Arthur Raistrick was born in a working class home in Saltaire
, Yorkshire. He was a scholar in many related, and some unrelated, fields. He published some 330 articles, books, pamphlets and scholarly treatises.
to the First World War. During his confines in Durham and Wormwood Scrubs
prisons he began an association with, and later membership of, the Society of Friends, that lasted throughout his life. As well as a pacifist, he was a socialist and had close ties to the early Independent Labour Party
which he greatly valued into his old age.
His interests ranged widely. His early academic life was spent at Armstrong and Kings Colleges, Newcastle part of Durham University
(later to become Newcastle University) where he attained the role of Reader in Applied Geology
. His academic writings start from this period of his life, in 1925.
After work in mine safety, he once again settled into an academic life. His interests widened from geology and mining engineering into what would now be termed landscape studies. At the same time, his interest in mechanical engineering led him to carry out pioneering work on the lead mining industry of his native Yorkshire and elsewhere, including Two centuries of Industrial Welfare (on the London Lead Company
).
Once again refusing war service in 1939, Arthur Raistrick was forced to leave his academic post in Newcastle. He stated that King's College "just had to suspend me", without pay. During the war years
, he refused to earn sufficient money to pay income tax which would fund the war effort and he spent much of the time in converting a one-time barn into a home for himself and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth (née Chapman).
As a Friend, Arthur Raistrick became interested in the history of Quaker involvement in science and industry, leading him to publish widely on this subject. In the course of this, he was responsible, with others, for pioneering work on the industrial archaeology of the Coalbrookdale
area. His Dynasty of Ironfounders remains a seminal work on the Darbys
of Coalbrookdale
and their work in the cradle of the industrial revolution.
. His work in the field of industrial archaeology occupied much of his mature years. He published an early work on the subject, Industrial Archaeology which remains in use in undergraduate courses to this day.
As well as his master's degree and doctorate, Arthur Raistrick received Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of Leeds and Bradford. He was particularly associated with the latter university and bequeathed his extensive mineral collection to it, together with an unrivalled collection of closely annotated maps of the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines, which form a commentary to his extensive fieldwork. He also left the bulk of his large library to Bradford University.
Among other lifelong interests Raistrick was a keen walker, venturing far and wide amongst his beloved Yorkshire Dales and moors. He had been a founder member of the Holiday Fellowship and was a one time vice president of the Youth Hostels Association. His interest in landscape and its conservation led to him serving several terms upon the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
by Prime Minister Harold Wilson
, Raistrick wrote a letter declining the honour, which started, characteristically, "Dear Harold, I am deeply disappointed in you…". His lifelong dislike of privilege made it impossible for him even to consider accepting Wilson's offer.
Raistrick was a true polymath. He was a self-taught expert on the organ works of J.S. Bach. He immersed himself in studies of ancient Chinese civilisation. Until the end of his long life, he retained the daily routine of a working man, rising at 5 am to work through the day until an early bed at 8 pm.
An academic, a scholar of world renown, described as the "Dalesman of the Millennium", Raistrick would most devoutly have wished to be remembered as a socialist and a Quaker.
Saltaire
Saltaire is a Victorian model village within the City of Bradford Metropolitan District, West Yorkshire, England, by the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal...
, Yorkshire. He was a scholar in many related, and some unrelated, fields. He published some 330 articles, books, pamphlets and scholarly treatises.
Early life and work
In his early life he was imprisoned as a conscientious objectorConscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
to the First World War. During his confines in Durham and Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs, known locally as The Scrubs, is an open space located in the north-eastern corner of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London. It is the largest open space in the Borough, at 80 ha , and one of the largest areas of common land in London...
prisons he began an association with, and later membership of, the Society of Friends, that lasted throughout his life. As well as a pacifist, he was a socialist and had close ties to the early Independent Labour Party
Independent Labour Party
The Independent Labour Party was a socialist political party in Britain established in 1893. The ILP was affiliated to the Labour Party from 1906 to 1932, when it voted to leave...
which he greatly valued into his old age.
His interests ranged widely. His early academic life was spent at Armstrong and Kings Colleges, Newcastle part of Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
(later to become Newcastle University) where he attained the role of Reader in Applied Geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
. His academic writings start from this period of his life, in 1925.
After work in mine safety, he once again settled into an academic life. His interests widened from geology and mining engineering into what would now be termed landscape studies. At the same time, his interest in mechanical engineering led him to carry out pioneering work on the lead mining industry of his native Yorkshire and elsewhere, including Two centuries of Industrial Welfare (on the London Lead Company
London Lead Company
The London Lead Company was an 18th and 19th century British lead mining company. It was incorporated by royal charter. Strictly, it was The Company for Smelting Down Lead with Pitcoal.-Origins:...
).
Once again refusing war service in 1939, Arthur Raistrick was forced to leave his academic post in Newcastle. He stated that King's College "just had to suspend me", without pay. During the war years
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he refused to earn sufficient money to pay income tax which would fund the war effort and he spent much of the time in converting a one-time barn into a home for himself and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth (née Chapman).
As a Friend, Arthur Raistrick became interested in the history of Quaker involvement in science and industry, leading him to publish widely on this subject. In the course of this, he was responsible, with others, for pioneering work on the industrial archaeology of the Coalbrookdale
Coalbrookdale
Coalbrookdale is a village in the Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, England, containing a settlement of great significance in the history of iron ore smelting. This is where iron ore was first smelted by Abraham Darby using easily mined "coking coal". The coal was drawn from drift mines in the sides...
area. His Dynasty of Ironfounders remains a seminal work on the Darbys
Abraham Darby
Abraham Darby may refer to:*Abraham Darby I *Abraham Darby II *Abraham Darby III *Abraham Darby IV , High Sheriff of BuckinghamshireAbraham Darby may also refer to:...
of Coalbrookdale
Coalbrookdale
Coalbrookdale is a village in the Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, England, containing a settlement of great significance in the history of iron ore smelting. This is where iron ore was first smelted by Abraham Darby using easily mined "coking coal". The coal was drawn from drift mines in the sides...
and their work in the cradle of the industrial revolution.
An industrial archaeologist
Raistrick was also a field archaeologist of some renown, specialising in the Craven area of the Yorkshire Dales, around his long-time home at Linton, near GrassingtonGrassington
Grassington is a market town and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England.The town is situated in Wharfedale around from Bolton Abbey and is surrounded by limestone scenery...
. His work in the field of industrial archaeology occupied much of his mature years. He published an early work on the subject, Industrial Archaeology which remains in use in undergraduate courses to this day.
As well as his master's degree and doctorate, Arthur Raistrick received Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of Leeds and Bradford. He was particularly associated with the latter university and bequeathed his extensive mineral collection to it, together with an unrivalled collection of closely annotated maps of the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines, which form a commentary to his extensive fieldwork. He also left the bulk of his large library to Bradford University.
Among other lifelong interests Raistrick was a keen walker, venturing far and wide amongst his beloved Yorkshire Dales and moors. He had been a founder member of the Holiday Fellowship and was a one time vice president of the Youth Hostels Association. His interest in landscape and its conservation led to him serving several terms upon the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
Honours refused
Offered an OBEOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
by Prime Minister Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
, Raistrick wrote a letter declining the honour, which started, characteristically, "Dear Harold, I am deeply disappointed in you…". His lifelong dislike of privilege made it impossible for him even to consider accepting Wilson's offer.
Raistrick was a true polymath. He was a self-taught expert on the organ works of J.S. Bach. He immersed himself in studies of ancient Chinese civilisation. Until the end of his long life, he retained the daily routine of a working man, rising at 5 am to work through the day until an early bed at 8 pm.
An academic, a scholar of world renown, described as the "Dalesman of the Millennium", Raistrick would most devoutly have wished to be remembered as a socialist and a Quaker.
Selected bibliography
- Raistrick, Arthur (1972) Industrial archaeology : an historical survey, London, Eyre Methuen, ISBN 0-413-28050-0
- Raistrick, Arthur (1977) Two centuries of industrial welfare : the London (Quaker) Lead Company, 1692-1905 : the social policy and work of the 'Governor and Company for Smelting down Lead with Pit Coal and Sea Coal', mainly in Alston Moor and the Pennines, Rev. 2nd ed., Buxton : Moorland Publishing Co. [1st ed.: London : 'Journal of the Friends Historical Society', 1938], ISBN 0-903485-13-3
- Raistrick, Arthur (1989) Dynasty of iron founders : the Darbys and Coalbrookdale, 2nd rev. ed., Coalbrookdale : Sessions Book Trust/Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, ISBN 1-85072-058-4
External links
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography - "Raistrick, Arthur (1896–1991)" - Subscription required but many public libraries have online access for their members
- University of Bradford Library: The Elizabeth and Arthur Raistrick Collection