GB 0120 WA/CRL - Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0120 WA/CRL

Title

Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories

Date(s)

  • 1899-[1946] (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

2 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

In 1896 the Wellcome Research Laboratories (WRL) were established in a building near the headquarters of Burroughs Wellcome, under Frederick Belding Power and H A D Jowett. Henry Solomon Wellcome (HSW) declared that these laboratories were to be quite distinct from the business departments.

In 1899 the WRL moved to 6 King Street, Snow Hill and became known as the Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories (WCRL).

Work involved the isolation and production of new chemical substances and collaboration with the Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories (WPRL) in their pharmacological testing.

Despite the claim that the research laboratories were clearly independent from the firm, they did in fact serve HSW's commercial purposes and contributed to his business success.

In 1905 the Experimental Department was set up to enable the WCRL to be devoted to purely academic work and the Chemical Department to concentrate on manufacturing work.

In 1913 the Wellcome Bureau of Scientific Research (WBSR) was established to unify all the scientific research work. Andrew Balfour was the Director.

In 1924 the Wellcome Foundation Limited (WFL) was established which formally drew together for the first time, the company, the research laboratories and the museums.

In 1931 the Wellcome Research Institution (WRI) was established which housed the WCRL and WBSR. The WPRL remained at Beckenham.

Archival history

GB 0120 WA/CRL 1899-[1946] Collection (fonds) 2 boxes Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories

In 1896 the Wellcome Research Laboratories (WRL) were established in a building near the headquarters of Burroughs Wellcome, under Frederick Belding Power and H A D Jowett. Henry Solomon Wellcome (HSW) declared that these laboratories were to be quite distinct from the business departments.

In 1899 the WRL moved to 6 King Street, Snow Hill and became known as the Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories (WCRL).

Work involved the isolation and production of new chemical substances and collaboration with the Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories (WPRL) in their pharmacological testing.

Despite the claim that the research laboratories were clearly independent from the firm, they did in fact serve HSW's commercial purposes and contributed to his business success.

In 1905 the Experimental Department was set up to enable the WCRL to be devoted to purely academic work and the Chemical Department to concentrate on manufacturing work.

In 1913 the Wellcome Bureau of Scientific Research (WBSR) was established to unify all the scientific research work. Andrew Balfour was the Director.

In 1924 the Wellcome Foundation Limited (WFL) was established which formally drew together for the first time, the company, the research laboratories and the museums.

In 1931 the Wellcome Research Institution (WRI) was established which housed the WCRL and WBSR. The WPRL remained at Beckenham.

Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories.

Papers of the Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories, 1899-[1946], comprising correspondence files, a rule book, microfilms of files, and publications.

The collection is divided into sections as follows:

WA/CRL/RU Rules 1899-1902

WA/CRL/CO Correspondence 1915-1936

WA/CRL/RP Reports 1925-1940

WA/CRL/HI Histories 1927-1958

WA/CRL/PB Publications 1905-1906

WA/CRL/PR Press cuttings 1923-[1946]

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. Readers are restricted to 100 photocopies in twelve months. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

English

Originals of microfilmed files held by Glaxo Wellcome.

Monthly reports from the Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories to the Director of the Wellcome Bureau of Scientific Research, 1914-1922, are at WA/BSR/BA/Crl.

Compiled by Anya Turner.

Sources: Tansey and Milligan, 1990

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.

June 2008 Laboratories Research Chemical research Scientific facilities Medical research Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of the Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories, 1899-[1946], comprising correspondence files, a rule book, microfilms of files, and publications.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

The collection is divided into sections as follows:

WA/CRL/RU Rules 1899-1902

WA/CRL/CO Correspondence 1915-1936

WA/CRL/RP Reports 1925-1940

WA/CRL/HI Histories 1927-1958

WA/CRL/PB Publications 1905-1906

WA/CRL/PR Press cuttings 1923-[1946]

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

Conditions governing reproduction

Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. Readers are restricted to 100 photocopies in twelve months. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Monthly reports from the Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories to the Director of the Wellcome Bureau of Scientific Research, 1914-1922, are at WA/BSR/BA/Crl.

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Wellcome Library

Rules and/or conventions used

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.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area