President meets James McConnell book author

President Mark Hunt has thanked author Neville Billington for ensuring stories of the founding of the Institution live on for future generations in his new book.

On 15 January, author and former automotive engineer, Neville Billington, joined a delegation to officially present the latest edition of his book to the Institution's President Mark Hunt.

The book, McConnell of the Mechanicals: The Story of the Founding of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, is the third edition of Neville’s story about the Institution’s creation.

Its publication has coincided with the bicentenary of the birth of James McConnell – a founding member of the Institution and its first chairman – on 1 January 1815.

The delegation also included the book’s illustrator Mike Kedian, Neville’s wife Pam, Council Member Rod Dawes and Midland Region Hon Secretary Ray Le Gallais.



The president warmly welcomed the group and told them that the Institution and future generations were lucky that Neville had produced the book as the stories would now live on.

As well as looking at the founding days of the Institution, Neville said his work provided an intriguing insight into society at the time. 

“It’s interesting to see the fusion of social morays and the aspirations and fears of people at the time. People were afraid of the emerging sciences and where they might take them,” Neville said.

The book’s illustrator, Mike, also presented several illustrations from the book to the president during the visit. He had thoroughly investigated the era in order to incorporate historical details into his drawings. 

“I even researched the type of pen James McConnell might have used in his house at Bromsgrove Station to draft his circular to form IMechE, to ensure it was as historically accurate as possible,” said Mike. 

Following the meeting with the president, the delegation attended an official lunch at the Institution.

Win a free copy of the book
Institution News has 10 free copies of the book McConnell of the Mechanicals: The Story of the Founding of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers to give away to members.

If you would like an opportunity to win a free copy of the book please email news@imecheemail.com by 5pm on 4 February 2015 and use the words Book competition in the subject line. Please also include your name, address, postcode and membership number in the email. Ten members then be selected at random to win a copy.

Two copies of the book are available for members to borrow from the library and it can also be purchased online.