Photographs And Documents Related To Martin Martins
Martins, Leah, fl 1981, of Urmston, Manchester1923-1963
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This collection is important from several viewpoints: it sheds light on the life of a German (Polish) Jewish family prior to 1939; on the problems of immigration to Britain; on life in Palestine in the 1930's; and on the work of Prof. Polenyi and his associates in Physical Chemistry.
This deposit number focuses on Martins work and career. For his family photos from Germany see deposit no. 1444, and for his life in Palestine with Leah Martins see deposit no. 1412. Deposit no. 1444 also contains some photos relating to Martin's career, for example 1444/52-55
Related Material:See also photo deposit no. 1412 and 1444
Title:
Photographs And Documents Related To Martin Martins
Date of work:
1923-1963
Reference number:
GB124.DPA/1443
Level of description:
Sub-fonds from Fonds: Documentary Photographic Archive (GB124.DPA)
Part of:
Includes:
Custodial history:
Material relating to depositor's husband Martins (formerly Martin Schmalz) who was born in Gnesen in the Polish province of Pasen in 1908 and moved to Be in with his parents in 1922. He worked as a chemo-technician in the team of Prof. Michael Folanyi at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, Department of Physical Chemistry, until 1933 when he was dismissed from his post because he was Jewish. His dismissal coincided with an invitation from Folanyi to help establish the Department of Chemistry at Manchester University. Here he played an important part in developing advanced equipment such as the oxygen isotape separator and the Polanyi-Fromer 'life period' method, a highly dilute flame apparatus for studying reactions between sodium atoms and organic halides. He was forced to leave, however, as a result of British immigration policy. He was only allowed a permit for six months at a time and by 1935 he was being pressurised to leave the country. At the suggestion of Prof. Mamier he made enquiries at the Daniel Sieff Institute (now the Weizmann Institute) in Palestine, where he was offered a contract by Chaim Weizmann (see letters below). From 1935-1939 he worked at the Institute and in 1936 he married Leah Sandler (see deposit 1412) who joined him in Palestine. In 1939 they returned to England on holiday and were caught there by the outbreak of war. Thereafter Martin worked mainly in Britain, eventually going into Chemical Engineering Design. He designed polarizing discs for the Navy (also used for atomic bombs), and got a patent for bearings that he invented. Later he worked as a freelance designer. He died in March 1980, aged 69.
Access restrictions:
Unrestricted
Use restrictions:
Unrestricted
Record types:
Greater Manchester County Record Office
Language:
English
Record number:
7200856
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Total copies: 1