| Administrative History | John Alfred Warwick (1821-1896) was born in Manchester, the son of Thomas Oliver Warwick (1771-1852), the Unitarian minister and scientist and his wife Mary (nee Aldred). He was educated at Heathfield School, married Elizabeth Hole of Ilkeston in around 1850 and went on to become the superintendent of the telegraph for the Midland Railway Company in Derby where, in 1866, he patented an invention to improve signalling at night. He toured the country with lectures on the subject of electric telegraphy, and is said to have been one of two men who were the first to demonstrate electric light in Derby, at the top of All Saints' church tower (now Derby Cathedral) on March 10, 1863. In retirement in Ockbrook, Warwick went into firework production (he is described on the 1891 census as "pyrotechnist") and was popular for his annual displays on Guy Fawkes' Day. |
| Custodial History | These items were donated to Derbyshire Record Office in April 2007 |