Angier March Perkins

Angier March Perkins (21 August, 1799 – 22 April, 1881) was a U.S. engineer who worked most of his career in the UK and was instrumental in developing the new technologies of central heating.

Life

Perkins was born in Old Newburyport, Massachusetts, the second son of six children of Jacob Perkins and his wife, Hannah, "née" Greenleaf. His name came from that of his father's brother in-law and close friend Angier March. Jacob Perkins travelled to the UK in 1819 in order to exploit his bank note printing inventions and Angier March followed in 1821 to join his father in the printing business.McConnell (2004)]

Angier March eventually took charge of his father's business but in 1828 launched his own heating and steam engineering enterprise. He married Julia Georgina Brown in 1831 and in the same year filed the first of his patents for heating equipment. His first steam heating system was installed in 1832 in the home of Governor of the Bank of England John Horley Palmer so that the owner could grow grapes. He also installed heating systems in commercial premises. Angier March's business propsered and he moved to larger premises, sharing an office with his father who, though still inventive, enjoyed less commercial success.

He ultimately became involved in improved methods for smelting iron and designs for piping and plumbing fittings. His high-pressure steam technology proved to have other uses, including a mobile baker's oven for the British Army.

Family

Angier March had two sons:
*Angier Greenleaf Perkins (1832–1871), also an engineer;
*Loftus Perkins (1834–1891), was apprenticed to his father in 1848 becoming a partner in A. M. Perkins & Son in 1866.

Angier March died at his family home in Hampstead and was buried in the family vault in Kensal Green Cemetery.

Honours and offices

*Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers, (1840);
*Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, (1849).

References

Bibliography

* cite web | title=The Perkins Family: A Short History about Four Generations of Engineers | work=Heritage Group Website for The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers | year=2002 | author=Ferris, F. J. | url=http://www.hevac-heritage.org/victorian_engineers/perkins/perkins.htm | accessdate=2007-08-14
*McConnell, A. (2004) " [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/21967 Perkins, Angier March (1799–1881)] ", "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography", Oxford University Press, accessed 14 August 2007 (subscription required)

External links

* cite web | author=House_n research group | title=History: Heat Pipes | work=House_n | url=http://architecture.mit.edu/house_n/web/resources/tutorials/House_N%20Tutorial%20Heat%20Pipes.htm | accessdate=2007-08-14 | publisher=MIT Department of Architecture