Fonds HowardA - The papers of Sir Albert Howard

Identity area

Reference code

HowardA

Unique identifier

GB 275 HowardA

Title

The papers of Sir Albert Howard

Date(s)

  • 1873-1971 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

7 boxes (1 oversize), paper, photographs, artefacts.

Context area

Name of creator

(1873-1947)

Biographical history

Albert Howard was born at Bishops Castle, Shropshire in 1873 the son of a farmer. His experience of working on the family farm in his youth influenced his practical approach to agricultural science throughout his professional life. After gaining an associateship in chemistry at the Royal College of Science he took his BA in Natural Sciences at St John’s graduating with first class honours in 1899. From 1905 he was imperial economic botanist to the government of India, running the research station at Pusa until 1924 with his wife, Gabrielle Louise Caroline Matthaei. Together they established the Institute of Plant Industry at Indore in 1924, where their work on soil fertility led to the development of the Indore process of composting. Following Gabrielle’s death in 1930, Howard returned to the UK, marrying in 1931 his sister-in-law Louise Ernestine Matthaei, who supported his work as his first wife had. Howard was knighted in 1934. Throughout the 1930s Howard travelled worldwide advising agriculturalists in Africa, Asia and Europe on composting methods. Until his death in 1947 he wrote and spoke on organic cultivation. The foundation of the Soil Association in 1946 was largely due to his influence.

Archival history

These papers were preserved by the Matthaei family, and loaned to the Albert Howard Society for digitization prior to deposit at St John's Library.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Given by Charlotte Matthaei, March 2020.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Family and professional papers relating to Sir Albert Howard and his wives Gabrielle and Louise Matthaei. The collection includes correspondence and diaries, drafts of publications and lectures, published works, photographs, and personal documents.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Documents written by Albert Howard have been kept in chronological order, almost as received (items that were misfiled in dated bundles have now been filed chronologically). The remainder of the collection is arranged thematically.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

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Script of material

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Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

The Albert Howard Society at Bishops Castle, Shropshire, has digitized copies of much of the material.

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Note

Preferred citation: St John's College Library, the papers of Sir Albert Howard.

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Description control area

Description identifier

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Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

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Accession area