Papers of Arthur Primrose Young (1885-1977), works manager, British Thomson-Houston

The papers comprise correspondence, copies of articles, reports, talks, press-cuttings and printed material, relating to Young's career and his involvement in public affairs. Subject covered include: British Thomson-Houston Co. Ltd., including early magneto production at Coventry; war-time production measures, 1939-1945; BKL Alloys Ltd.; Institution of Works Managers; United Nations Association; Education; autobiography; overseas visits and contacts; Carl Goerdeler's opposition to Hitler. Correspondents include: F. Ashton-Gwatkin (Foreign Office), Sir Charles Bartlett (Vauxhall Motors), Sir Alfred Herbert, J.Little (AEU), and R.C.K. Ensor.

Arthur Primrose Young (1885-1977) was associated throughout his working life with British Thomson-Houston, the electrical equipment manufacturers of Coventry and Rugby, from which concern he retired as Works Manager in 1945. During his career he was works manager at British Thomson-Houston, Coventry 1921-1928, and at British Thomson-Houston, Rugby, 1929-1945. Outside the firm he played an important part in the professional development of works management. He was a Christian interested in industry, educational affairs and, briefly on the international scene, through his contacts with a conservative opponent to Hitler, Dr Carl Goerdeler. Young wrote one unpublished and two published autobiographies and numerous articles and speeches which were the subject of media and research interest. He was a founder member of the British Works Management Association and lectured and wrote extensively on the application of Christian principles to industry. For his work in the development and production of the polar inductor magneto, which went into production in early 1917, Young received the O.B.E. Reference: A.P. Young, Across the years (Charles Knight, 1971). A.P. Young, The X Documents (ed. S.Aster, Deutsch, 1974). R. A. Storey, entry on A.P. Young in the Dictionary of Business Biography (volume 5, 1986). R. A. Storey, 'The Papers of A. P. Young' in Warwickshire History (volume VII, no. 6.).

Young used and reused his papers to such an extent that the papers were in considerable disorder when received. Major reorganisation on a subject and correspondent basis was deemed necessary, though a number of apparently original files were retained in the process.

The Institution of Electrical Engineers Archives Department holds correspondence and papers of A. P. Young, 1907-1951. Letters to the Manchester Guardian from A.P. Young, 1945-1956, are held at Manchester University: John Rylands Library. The Institution of Engineering and Technology Archives also holds records of BT-H including many photographs, glass negatives and some film.

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