Leonard Frederick George Butler (1887-1943), aircraft engine designer
Educated in Somerset
Apprenticed to Brazil, Straker and Co in Bristol where he worked with Roy Fedden on the design of the first Straker cars.
Worked with the designers at Rolls-Royce for a short period.
Returned to Brazil Straker as chief draughtsman.
Designed the 2-row 350hp Mercury radial engine.
1918 Appointed chief designer of Cosmos Engineering, which had been formed to acquire the aircraft interests of Brazil Straker.
1918 Designed the Jupiter engine in very short space of time to meet Air Ministry spec. The designs were taken over by the Aero-Engine Department of Bristol Aeroplane Co in 1920 when it acquired the company.
Butler was then, for a long time, associated with Roy Fedden, chief engineer of the Engine Department, producing a series of successful engines including the Lucifer, Pegasus, Perseus, Taurus and Hercules.
1941 Retired from the position of chief designer of the Engine Division. He was then appointed as special adviser to the aero-engine division
1943 Died at Paddington station.
1942/43 Obituary [1]
Leonard Frederick George Butler was born in 1887 and educated at Sexey's School, Somerset.
He served his apprenticeship with Brazil, Straker and Co., Bristol, where he took part in the design of the first Straker Squire cars.
After a brief period as Draughtsman with Crossley Motors, Ltd., he returned to Brazil, Straker as Chief Draughtsman in 1912. He designed the Mercury 350 h.p. double-row engine and was appointed Chief Designer of the Cosmos Engineering Company, which was formed in 1918 to manufacture this engine.
Subsequently the Cosmos Engineering Company was taken over by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and he became an Assistant Engineer in the Aero-Engine Department, later becoming Chief Designer. Working in association with Sir Roy Fedden, the "Jupiter," "Lucifer," "Pegasus," "Mercury," "Perseus," "Taurus," and "Hercules " engines were produced. He remained Chief Designer until 1941, when he was appointed Technical Adviser to the Aero-Engine Division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company.
He died suddenly on 3rd September, 1943, at the age of 56.
He was elected a Graduate in 1911 and transferred to Associate Member in 0925.
1943 Obituary [2]
THE sudden death of Mr. L. F. G. Butler, the technical adviser to the aero-engine division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, at Paddington Station on Friday, September 3rd, while on a. business visit to London, deprives the British aircraft engine industry of an outstanding designer. In a Journal note of July 23rd we recorded with pleasure the recent recovery of Mr. Butler from his illness. He was at the time his of death only fifty-five years of age. After completing his education at Sexey's School, Somerset, he was apprenticed to the Bristol engineering firm of Brazil Straker and Company, where he was engaged , along with Mr. A. H. R. Fedden (now Sir Roy Fedden), on the design of the Straker Squire motor-cars . He spent a short time with the Rolls-Royce design staff, and then returned to Bristol to occupy the post of chief draughtsman at Brazil Strakers, which firm was then constructing the Rolls-Royce " Hawk" and " Falcon " engines and the 80 B.H.P. "Renault" engine, along with the redesigned Curtiss "OX" engine used during the last war. Mr. Butler designed the " Mercury" 350 H.P. double-row engine, and at a later date he became chief designer to the Cosmos Engineering. Company, which, we may recall, was formed in 1918 to make that engine. Early in 1918 he designed the nine-cylinder single-row "Jupiter" engine, one or two of which were built by the Cosmos Company. In 1920 the Cosmos Company was taken over by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, Ltd., which formed a special aero-engine department. In 1921 the Bristol "Jupiter" engine was produced and soon passed its type tests . It was followed by the "Lucifer" , "Pegasus", "Mercury, "Perseus ," " Taurus," and " Hercules " engines, all of which bore testimony to the excellent design work of Mr. Butler. He continued to serve the firm as chief designer until 1941 when he was appointed technical adviser to 'the company's aero-engine division. In that year Mr . Butler was taken ill as a result of overstrain at work and he did not return to his post until late in 1942, Sir Roy Fedden having left. During the last few months he was happy and content ed and had settled down to extremely valuable work on the company's latest projects and designs. His death at an early age will be widely regretted by his many friends.
See Also
Sources of Information
- The Times, Sep 04, 1943