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University of Bradford >> Library >> Special Collections >> Raistrick Collection
Arthur Raistrick was born in Saltaire in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1896. He attended Bradford Grammar School, then was apprenticed as an electrical engineer. Imprisoned as a Conscientious Objector during the First World War, he joined the Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1919. He gained an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering and M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Geology (applied to mining) at Leeds University. In 1929 he was appointed Lecturer in Applied Geology at Armstrong College, Durham, a year later marrying Elizabeth Chapman (1892-1973), a fellow-Quaker and lecturer at Leeds Training College. Raistrick was an extra-mural teacher at Leeds, Durham and Newcastle Universities from 1945 to 1970 and devoted considerable time to research and writing on industrial archaeology, particularly that of the Yorkshire Dales; he studied the archaeological and geological evidence in the field, colouring and annotating Ordnance Survey maps to illustrate his findings, and also producing plans and site drawings. Dr Raistrick donated his Quaker and mining books and his collections of maps and plans to the University of Bradford. He died in 1991.
Dr Raistrick's mining and metallurgy books encompass all eras of mining history and practice (particularly the mining of coal, Pennine lead and Cornish tin and copper), the life of the miner, metallurgy, geology and mineralogy, the history of the Industrial Revolution and industrial archaeology. These books formed a working collection and some books have been heavily annotated by Raistrick with comments and cross-references. Dr Raistrick also collected material on Quaker history: biographies and writings of Friends (such as Gilbert Latey, Samuel Bownas and John Churchman), works on Friends in the development of industry, the Society's publications on doctrine and Church government, and some more unusual items such as the story of Charles Pancoast, a Quaker in the California gold rush of 1849. Both sets of books appear on the Library catalogue.
The map collection includes original and copy 19th century manuscript maps, several of Grassington and other sites in the Yorkshire Dales; maps issued by the Geological Survey of England and Wales, and Geological Survey of Scotland, mainly covering Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland and Lancashire; original mid 19th century manuscript maps of estates in Malhamdale by John Greenwood; Ordnance Survey maps, covering mainly the West Riding and Westmorland, used during fieldwork and many annotated by Arthur Raistrick; original and copy manuscript maps and plans by Arthur Raistrick, mainly of sites in the Yorkshire Dales; original mid 19th century manuscript maps of sites in Langstrothdale by Samuel Swire; and copies of 1832 plans of Skipton by John Wood. The collection forms a remarkable resource for archaeologists and others researching the Yorkshire landscape, its use and its history.
The best way to access the maps is via our very detailed handlist, please contact us for a copy. Some have been added to the Library catalogue. "Maps" appears in the Class Number area. Contact Special Collections staff for further information or to make an appointment to use the maps.
Detail from mid 19th century plan of field areas in Low Green Field, Langstrothdale, North Yorkshire. Ref: 1150. © University of Bradford.
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