Visiting Historians

The historical material that was available in the Hamilton Place Library, some of it unique, has been a valuable resource for aviation historians from the UK and overseas.  Below we copy an article from the January 2009 issue of The Aerospace Professional recording visits to the Library in November 2008 by distinguished historians from France and the USA.

Further evidence of the value placed on the Hamilton Place Library by international historians, and the esteem in which it is held, can be found in the letter below, recently sent to the Society President by the distinguished American academic, author and historian, Dr John D. Anderson Jr.

DR. JOHN D. ANDERSON, JR.
1800 Billman Lane
Silver Spring, Maryland 20902-1422
Phone: (301) 942-1867
   October 9, 2009
 

Dr. M. Steeden
President
Royal Aeronautical Society
4 Hamilton Place
London W1J 7BQ

Dear Dr. Steeden:

 I have read your questions and answers in the society news section of the October 2009 Aerospace Professional concerning the transfer of the RAeS Library to Farnborough. Although I understand the reasons that you give for the move, I am writing to share with you how important and useful the library at 4 Hamilton Place has been to me over the past 30 years, and why I think it is important to continue a major library presence at the RAeS Headquarters in London.

First, let me explain that the library has been invaluable to my research on the history of aerodynamics and of aeronautical engineering.  This research contributed materially to my books the History of Aerodynamics, Cambridge University Press, 1997, The Airplane: A History of Its Technology, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2002, and Inventing Flight, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.  More recently, my study of the papers of Frank Barnwell in the library form part of my new research on the history of conceptual airplane design for my book The Grand Designers, in preparation for Cambridge University Press. Also, resources in your library have helped me to formulate new ideas for my various textbooks in aerospace engineering published by McGraw-Hill. In short, the RAeS Library at 4 Hamilton Place has been a valuable and rewarding venue for me.  Moreover, your very effective and knowledgeable librarian, Brian Riddle, always has been a great resource for me; I consider Brian one of my professional colleagues for whom I have the greatest respect.

 Unfortunately for me, the very recent move of both the library and the librarian to Farnborough effectively diminishes my valuable experience as a user of the library, for the following reasons:

London is my usual point of entry to England.  Farnborough is off the beaten track for me when I visit London, effectively making it difficult and time-consuming for me to travel between Farnborough and London.  Because of its centrality, I make London my headquarters.

London has other resources that I use, such as the Imperial College, The Science Museum, The RAF Museum, The Imperial War Museum, and the British Library.  Having the RAeS Library located at 4 Hamilton Place simply adds to that symbiosis.  Also, there is a positive benefit of the relaxing, intellectual, and historic atmosphere surrounding 4 Hamilton Place.

I am just one voice in this matter, but anything that could be done to re-establish the wonderful research atmosphere, resources and usefulness of the library to 4 Hamilton Place would be very welcomed.  Also, it would fit my image of the true historical and intellectual tradition of the Society.

     Sincerely,

     John D. Anderson, Jr.
     Fellow, RAeS
     Professor Emeritus, Aerospace Engineering
     University of Maryland
     And
     Curator of Aerodynamics
     National Air and Space Museum
     Smithsonian Institution

Copy to: Mr. K. Mans

Appendix 2A The history of the RAeS Library
Appendix 2B Hampshire County Council records
Appendix 2C Information to Society members
Appendix 2D Visiting historians
Appendix 2E Consultation
Appendix 2F Hamilton Place Library – a look ahead