Crompton, Rookes Evelyn Bell 1845 - 1940

(1845-1940) Soldier and Electrical Engineer

Crompton was born at Sion Hill, near Thirsk on the 31st May 1845. At the age of only 11 he was enrolled as a naval cadet during the Crimean War where he earned the Crimean medal and Sevastopol clasp. He was educated at Harrow from 1858-1860. Before his career as an engineer started, he served for four years in India (1864-1868) as an ensign in the rifle brigade. Crompton married Elizabeth Gertrude in 1871, and had two sons and three daughters.

In 1875 Crompton retired from the army and bought a partnership in a Chelmsford engineering firm.

Towards the end of 1886 Crompton formed the Kensington Court Company, financed by a few friends, for electricity supply to neighbouring premises. This pioneer enterprise, one of the first of its kind, became the Kensington and Knightsbridge Electric Supply Company. Crompton advocated the direct current system; S. Z. de Ferranti, engineer of the London Electric Supply Corporation, believed in alternating current and led the opposing school. The resulting ‘battle of the systems’, with these two as friendly antagonists, has its place in electrical history.

Between 1890 and 1899 Crompton revisited India to advise the government on electrical projects and by May 1900 he was in South Africa. Although electrical matters still claimed much of his time, Crompton became increasingly occupied with road transport. He had been a founder member of the Royal Automobile Club in 1896, and was one of the judges in 1903 at the first motor show.

A dinner which was held in his honour in London in 1931 was attended by probably the largest gathering of distinguished scientists and engineers ever recorded at a personal function. . He was awarded the Faraday medal in 1926 and was elected FRS in 1933.

Crompton died at Azerley Chase, Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, on the 15th February 1940.