GB 0096 MS 514 - Petition of Jonathan Carter Hornblower

2 leaves

GB 0096 MS 514 c1792 Collection (fonds) 2 leaves Unknown
Jonathan Carter Hornblower (1753-1815) was the British inventor of the double-beat valve, the first reciprocating compound steam engine. Hornblower's invention, patented in 1781, was a steam engine with two cylinders, a significant contribution to efficiency. The firm of James Watt (Boulton & Watt) challenged his invention, claiming infringement of patent. With the decision against him, Hornblower lost the opportunity to further develop the compound engine. Hornblower patented other inventions, a rotative engine and a steam wheel, or steam engine, and amassed a fortune in engineering. Hornblower died in 1815.

Enclosed in a Goldsmiths' Library volume lettered 'Hornblower & Windwood-Address to Adventurers in the mines of Cornwall, 1788', including An address to the lords, adventurers and others, concern'd in the mines of Cornwall (1788; G.L. Cat. 13546).

Manuscript 'Reasons for Mr. Hornblower's petitioning the Honourable House of Commons for an Act to extend the term of his patent', [24 Feb 1792]; the patent had been granted in 1781 for 14 years, permitting the use of his steam engine in the Cornish mines. The case of James Watt is cited: in 1774 he obtained an extension of a patent 'of a similar nature, for 25 years certain'.

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Uncatalogued material may not be seen. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.
English
9¼" x 7¼"

Collection level description.

Further material relating to Jonathan Hornblower may be found in the Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro, and the Birmingham City Archives.

See Journal of the House of Commons, XLVII.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Aug 2001 Civil law Cornwall Engineering England Europe Hornblower , Jonathan Carter , 1753-1815 , engineer Intellectual property Patents UK Western Europe Legal systems Law London

Enclosed in a Goldsmiths' Library volume lettered 'Hornblower & Windwood-Address to Adventurers in the mines of Cornwall, 1788', including An address to the lords, adventurers and others, concern'd in the mines of Cornwall (1788; G.L. Cat. 13546).

Manuscript 'Reasons for Mr. Hornblower's petitioning the Honourable House of Commons for an Act to extend the term of his patent', [24 Feb 1792]; the patent had been granted in 1781 for 14 years, permitting the use of his steam engine in the Cornish mines. The case of James Watt is cited: in 1774 he obtained an extension of a patent 'of a similar nature, for 25 years certain'.

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Uncatalogued material may not be seen. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

• English

• Latin

English

Collection level description.

Further material relating to Jonathan Hornblower may be found in the Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro, and the Birmingham City Archives.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• English