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Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton
Life Details
Born: May 31st, 1845. Died: February 15th, 1940.
Introduction
A British inventor and one of the pioneers in electrical development, Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton was a pioneer that developed direct current electrics and also had a keep eye on road transportation.
Early Life
Having a military upbringing, Crompton accompanied his mother's cousin to the Crimean War (1853-1856). He would end up earning the Crimean medal and the Sevastopol clasp. He also served in India as an ensign in the rifle brigade.
Move to Engineering
When Crompton retired in 1875, he bought a partnership in an Chelmsford engineering firm. Here, he helped broaden their activity with the construction of dynamos and arc lamps with an overhead support mechanism to reduce shadow.
He is best known for his lighting installations. His house in Portchester Gardens was the first private residence effectively supplied with electric light (this was achieved in 1879).
In 1886, Crompton formed the Kensington Court Company to supply electricity to neighbouring premises. Here he created one of the first power-supply stations, and advocated the use of direct current for distribution systems, which was in direct competition with Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti's alternating current systems.
Later Life
Towards the end of Crompton's life, his eye turns to automobiles. In 1896, he was a founder member of the Royal Automobile Club, and was one of the judges at the first motor show in 1903.
For his attributions to electrical engineering, Crompton received the Faraday Medal in 1926, and then in 1933, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
He died in February 1940, just a few months before the Battle of Britain in World War Two.
