Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0120 WA/CRL
Held at	: Wellcome Library   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://wellcomelibrary.org/ ›
Full title	: Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories
Date(s)	: 1899-[1946]
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 2 boxes
Name of creator(s)	: Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/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.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

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

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

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 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.

Finding aids:

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories.

Allied Materials

Related material:

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.

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Anya Turner.
Sources: Tansey and Milligan, 1990

Rules or conventions:
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.

Date(s) of descriptions:
June 2008