Hemsley Theodore Chapman

Hemsley Theodore Chapman (1863-1927), Joint Secretary of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

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1927 Obituary

"Members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers will learn with great regret that Mr Hemsley Theodore Chapman, one of the joint assistant secretaries, died on April 12th, following over a year of failing health. Mr. Chapman was born in 1863. In 1890 he was appointed to assist Mr. Alfred Bache, at that time secretary to the Institution, Mr. Chapman's chief duty being the editing of the "Proceedings." In 1896 Mr Bache's health broke down, and it fell to Mr. Chapman to carry through to a conclusion the arrangements made for that year's summer meeting in Belfast. This task he completed with a success which earned for him the commendation of the Council. From that time onwards his chief responsibility continued to be the editing of the "Proceedings." In 1920 he was appointed one of the joint assistant secretaries under Brig-General Magnus Mowat. Mr. Chapman was very methodical and businesslike in all his work. He took an active part in all the general work of the Institution, and was very popular with all the members who came into touch with him."

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1927 Obituary

"An ordinary general meeting—the last of the session—of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers was held on Friday last, the 29th ult., at Storey’s Gate, Westminster, the President, Sir Henry Fowler, K.B.E., being in the chair.

The Late Mr. H. T. Chapman.

The members rose, and continued standing, while the President referred to the loss to the Institution from the death of Mr. H. T. Chapman, whom he had known personally for 29 years. Mr. Chapman had always been most courteous to members of every grade, and he felt that the meeting would endorse the resolution passed by the Council, to record in the minutes the work of one who was beloved and respected by the staff, as well as by every member of the Institution. The resolution was concurred in unanimously, the record being substantially the same as that published in Engineering, page 495 ante..

This resolution, he continued, would be conveyed to Mrs. Chapman, and the record would be entered in the minutes of the Council Meeting and of the General Meeting of that evening. Many members who had been his friends had already communicated to Mrs. Chapman their sympathy in the great loss she had sustained.

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1927 Obituary

"THE LATE MR. H. T. CHAPMAN.

Members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers throughout the country will, we are sure, join with us in deploring the loss sustained by the death of its General Assistant Secretary, Mr. Hemsley Theodore Chapman, which took place, somewhat unexpectedly, on Tuesday, April 12. Mr. Chapman’s connection with the Institution began when it was still at 19, Vietoria-street. He joined the staff there in October, 1890, to assist in editing the- Proceedings. Owing to the illness of the secretary, the late Mr. Alfred Bache, Mr. Chapman was called upon to take charge of the arrangements for the summer meeting at Belfast in 1896, and was complimented- by the Council on his work. Thereafter, for several years, he was responsible for the organisation of the summer meet-: ings. These, as a wide circle of members will know, have been uniformly enjoyable and pleasant, and whether held in this country- or abroad their success has- been very largely due to the efforts which Mr. Chapman made in their preparation. The debt under which members have been to Mr.' Chapman in this direction alone has certainly been considerable.

After the war, it became evident that, with the growth of the institution, staff, changes were necessary, and in September, 1920, Mr. Chapman was appointed Joint Assistant Secretary, his duties being of a general nature, as opposed to technical, and from this period he was, under the secretary, wholly responsible for editing the. Proceedings. Mr. Chapman was painstaking and methodical, and a skilful organiser. His equable disposition and ready courtesy added to the high and friendly esteem in which he was held by members and colleagues alike. Born in 1863, Mr. Chapman had, generally, enjoyed good health, though for the last year or so a heart affection had been somewhat troublesome."

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