| Administrative History | Bryan Donkin (1768-1855), engineer and inventor, in 1803 established engineering works, at first principally for paper-making machinery, in Bermondsey in London. Fourdrinier Bros. were the original financiers of this enterprise. Bryan Donkin continued to refine and improve techniques. In 1819 he invented a revolution counter to record numbers of items produced. To improve security in printing banknotes etc. he developed the Donkin Pantograph Machine and the Rose Engine. He also undertook overseas projects, notably the construction of a 75 foot water wheel for the Tuscan Felted Cloth Works near Florence (Italy) in 1842. His correspondents include John Rennie, Marc Isambard Brunel and Thomas Telford.
Elected fellow of the Royal Society in 1836, Bryan Donkin died in 1855. He was predeceased by his eldest son John (1802-1854) who had been a partner in the firm since 1826. The business was then carried on by the founder's younger sons Bryan and Thomas, and by his grandson, John's son, also named Bryan (1835-1902). The latter was responsible for the contract to build a paper mill in St Petersburg (Russia) in 1858.
Barnard William Farey (1827-1888) became a partner in the business in the mid 19th century. He designed a horizontal compound steam engine which the firm manufactured in large numbers.
In 1889 the firm became the Bryan Donkin Company Ltd with the founder's eponymous grandson as Chairman and another grandson, Edwin Bryan Donkin (d.1906) as Managing Director. In 1900 the company merged with Clench and Co. Ltd of Chesterfield, makers of high-speed steam engines, and relocated in 1902 from Bermondsey to works at Derby Road, Chesterfield. This site closed in June 1999. |
| Custodial History | These records were deposited in Derbyshire Record Office in 1999 and 2001 by a private individual. Further accessions, November 2013 (see D5029/UL) |