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Research
Those with research interests in the Wealden iron industry are advised, in the first instance, to consult the standard reference work, The Iron Industry of the Weald.
An older standard work is 'Wealden Iron', by Ernest Straker, originally published in 1931. Although inaccurate in some respects and largely superceded by The Iron Industry of the Weald, its gazetteer is still useful. The full text and illustrations of Wealden Iron can be viewed here. The earliest publication on the industry is the monograph The historical geography of the Wealden iron industry by Mary Cecilia Delany, pub. 1921, which can also be read online here.
More specific research enquiries may be directed to WIRG's Vice-Chairman, Jeremy Hodgkinson
or to members below who have specific interests:
Members' Research Interests
This is the beginning of what is hoped will be a comprehensive list of members' interests; it will be added to over the coming months and years. These members will be pleased to make contact with people having similar interests or who have enquiries on their area of interest.
| Subject | Member | Contact |
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| Air supply problems in furnaces | Jonathan Prus | jonathan@avens.co.uk |
| Biographical research | Alan Hayward | AlanDHayward@aol.com |
| Biographical research (Kent) | Tony Singleton | tonysing@unionmill.org.uk |
| Cast-iron firebacks | Jeremy Hodgkinson | jshodgkinson@hodgers.com |
| Edgetool industry, Kent Weald | Tony Singleton | tonysing@unionmill.org.uk |
| Experimental bloomery research | Brian Herbert | brianherbert@btinternet.com |
| Iron ore mining | Jonathan Prus | jonathan@avens.co.uk |
| 18th C Wealden iron industry | Jeremy Hodgkinson | jshodgkinson@hodgers.com |
| 18th C or earlier iron producers and cannon manufacturers:
Using computer model to explore how manufacturing policies and
strategic technical, commercial, costing, pricing and market factors
interact to influence annual comparative trading performances of above.
| Alan Davies | alan.fdavies@tiscali.co.uk |
GRANTS - TEBUTT RESEARCH FUND
A research fund, set up in memory of Fred Tebbutt, first President of WIRG, exists to aid research into the iron industry of the Weald. Applications are invited for grants.
More details and suggestions for future research projects can be found HERE.
RESEARCH DISSERTATIONS
WIRG is in the process of putting online dissertations which have been submitted for further degrees. Two have been added to the site so far:
 The Iron Industry of Roman Britain by Henry F Cleere, 1981
The Iron Industry in the Weald in the period of the Seven Years' War, 1750-1770 by Jeremy Hodgkinson
More will follow.
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