Prof. Henry Briggs, O.B.E.

Abstract

PROF. HENRY BRIGGS, who died in London on August 26 at the age of fifty-two years, had become, after a distinguished career, an authority on many subjects related to the scientific side of coal-mining. As head of the Department of Mining at Heriot-Watt College and Hood professor of mining at the University of Edinburgh, his influence amongst all students of mining technology was widely felt. In particular, mining engineers looked to Prof. Briggs for advice and information, based on his own original researches, on mine ventilation, on surveying and on the nature of coal. Latterly, he had interested himself in the subject of the production of oil from coal and carbonaceous materials, and had been appointed chairman of the Oil from Coal Committee of the Scottish National Development Council. He was a member of many scientific and technical societies, a member of council of the Institution of Mining Engineers and a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.