Howard Grubb
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Later Life and Death
editSubmarine periscopes
editAfter the 1900s, Grubb’s attention shifted from telescopes to periscopes for submarines for the Royal Navy [2]. The firm supplied 95% of the periscopes for submarines used by the British during the Great War [3].
The Great War effects
editTransfer to St. Albans
editDuring the Great War, no telescope work could be done, and it could not be completed until the end of the war [2]. The company was forced to move its headquarters to ensure the continuity of supply of periscopes [2]. The company was transferred from Dublin to St. Albans. It has been said that Grubb never really settled in England [4].
Post-war economic situation
editThe breakthrough of the Great War resulted in a stalemate in various of Grubb’s ongoing works, which eventually had detrimental effects for the firm [2]. The latter became economically weak and remained in a state of confusion even after the war was over [2]. Most of the financial support in the last years of the firm came only by the Russian Government, which had appointed various works to Grubb during the war period. He only managed to complete a few; the rest were finalised years after, under the new firm, owned by Sir Charles Parsons [2].
End of the firm
editThe firm went into liquidation in 1925. Grubb, being 81 years of age, retired from active participation in work [5]. A few months later, it was purchased by Sir Charles Parsons and relocated to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was renamed as Sir Howard Grubb Parsons and Company [2]. Once the company was sold to Parsons, Howard decided to return to his home town, in Dublin.
Last years at home
editDeath and funeral
editHe owned two houses, both overlooking the sea [2]. Grubb was very active both physically and mentally during his last years [4]. His wife Lady Mary died in April 1931, and he never really recovered from her loss. He died a few months later, the 16th of September, aged 87 [2].
His funeral took place on a Saturday morning at the Monkstown Parish Church. His coffin was transferred to Deans Grange Cemetery, the same one as his wife [6]. Those who attended the funeral were mainly family members and some significant personalities belonging to the societies he once belonged to [6].
Obituaries
editHe was subject of various obituaries, where he was presented as a good man, gentle, courteous and warm-hearted. In one of them, Mr. L.E. Steele, Vice-President of the Royal Dublin Society said “a talk with him was an intellectual treat” [5]
- ^ a b "Funeral of Sir Howard Grubb". The Irish Times (1921 - Current File): 13. 1931 – via ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Irish Times and The Weekly Irish Times.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Glass, Ian S (1997). Victorian Telescope Makers: The Lives and Letters of Thomas and Howard Grubb. London: Institute of Physics Publishing. ISBN 9780750304542.
- ^ "Sir Howard Grubb, F.R.S.". Nature. 128: 609–610. 10 October 1931. doi:10.1038/128609a0.
- ^ a b "Sir Howard Home: Special Interview". The Irish Times (1921 - Current File): 7. 1926 – via ProQuest Historical Newspapers.
- ^ a b "Obituary Notices". Proceedings of the Royal Society. 1 April 1932. doi:10.1098/rspa.1932.0049.
- ^ a b "The Late Sir Howard Grubb: Representation at the Funeral". The Irish Times (1921 - Current File). 1931 – via ProQuest Historical Newspapers.