Scrapbook of material relating to the foundation of the Chelsea Polytechnic Institute.

The South-Western Polytechnic was opened at Manresa Road, Chelsea, in 1895, to provide scientific and technical education to Londoners. It changed its name to Chelsea Polytechnic in 1922. Renamed Chelsea College and formally incorporated into the University of London, 1971. An important collection, casting much light on the foundation of the College. In very good condition overall, despite being on paper discoloured with age and by glue. Five items. ITEM ONE: Autograph Letter Signed (one page, 8vo, 6 May 1893, on letterhead of London & South Western Bank Limited, Chelsea King's Road branch) from A. E. Gadd (manager of the bank), enclosing 'a rough draft of resolutions' he wishes to bring before the coming meeting regarding the Polytechnic. ITEM TWO: manuscript (one page, 4to, undated) of 'Resolutions proposed by Mr. A. E. Gadd' referred to in item one. ITEM THREE: signed draft of letter (two pages, 12mo, 3 December 1892, on letterhead 'NELSON HOUSE, | TRAFALGAR SQUARE, | CHELSEA. S.W.') from Young to Quintin Hogg (1845-1903; DNB), at whose Regent St Polytechnic Young was then a student, in reference to 'the conversation I had with you on the prospect of the Chelsea Polytechnic, and indicating that Young was instrumental in its foundation ('[...] Altho' Chelsea and neighbourhood abounds in educational institutions yet I may safely say that there is nothing which offers a tithe of evening education similar to the Regent St Poly. and in fact there is only one called the 'Onslow College' and which is practically inadequate to the needs of students. | I am now collecting a list of students who are also anxious for the Chelsea Polytechnic to be opened'.) ITEM FOUR: 8vo exercise book with blue printed wraps ('YOUNG, | Stationer, | 319, FULHAM ROAD, S.W.'), containing eighteen pages of newspaper cuttings 1890-93 (from West London Press; Standard; West Middlesex Advertiser), all but one page consisting of two columns to the page, with several loose cuttings (1892-4). Several letters by Young ('Evening Student, Polytechnic Institute. W.'), alone and with others, feature. ITEM FIVE: Autograph Letter Signed (two pages, 4to, 13 January 1894, on letterhead of 'The Young Chelsea Union for furthering The South West London Polytechnic'), in stamped envelope, to Young from John H. D. Wheeler (according to the letterhead both Young and Wheeler were honorary secretaries of the Union), concerning various newspaper reports and the refusal of St George's Vestry 'to help'. 'Fulham has not decided yet, Westminster has refused, like St Georges & Kensington, but in each case it seems to us we might endeavour to approach them. | They are getting in at the Building very slowly: they appear to be about to build the half adjoining the Library before starting this end. I hoped they were going to build the whole of Basement & Ground Floor at least.' Young (born circa 1872) became an engineer.