Edward Harland Duckworth 1893 - 1972
- Nationality:
- British
Edward Harland Duckworth was born in 1893. He studied electrical engineering, and though his studies had to be paused whilst he served with the Royal Engineers in the First World War, he ultimately obtained his degree in chemistry from the University of London. Duckworth became an Associate of the Royal College of Science and spent a year studying botany.
Duckworth is best known for his career in education. He became a science teacher, and came to the notice of the Board of Education through his work in building up the science faculty at Dean Close School, Cheltenham. In 1930, Duckworth was offered the position of Inspector of Education for Nigeria by E.R.J. Hussey, Director of Education in Nigeria. His role was to advise the government, missions and schools on science and technical education.
Part of Duckworth’s work was editing a magazine for teachers which became known as “Nigeria”. Duckworth took a keen interest in the illustrations for the publication, providing his own photographs. Another important aspect of his role was in collecting material from living artists and crafts people for the Nigerian exhibits sent to the Empire Exhibition in Glasgow in 1938. Duckworth gained a knowledge of and passion for Nigerian antiquities, writing about archaeological finds at Ife for “Nigeria” and campaigning to create museums in Nigeria. Friction between Duckworth and the Department of Education following Hussey’s retirement led to his role being focused the editorship of “Nigeria” and coordinating exhibitions. He remained invested in science education and wrote an account of its development in Nigeria for the Chief Secretary in 1945.
Duckworth retired in 1953 and lived with his sister in Cheltenham until his death in January 1972. He collected thousands of photographs in his lifetime, many of which were donated to the Library at Northwestern University in the United States, as well as to the Pitt Rivers Museum and Bodleian Library in Oxford, and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.