Capel Lofft Holden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brigadier-General Sir
Capel Lofft Holden
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Portrait by Walter Stoneman, 1917
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Henry Capel Lofft Holden
23 January 1856 Cheltenham, England
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| Died | 30 March 1937 (aged 81) Greenwich, London, England
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| Resting place | Highgate Cemetery |
Sir Henry Capel Lofft Holden (born January 23, 1856 – died March 30, 1937) was a brilliant English engineer. He is famous for designing the Brooklands motor racing track. He also led important groups like The Royal Automobile Club.
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Who Was Henry Holden?
Henry Holden was born in Cheltenham, England. This was on January 23, 1856. He was the oldest son of Hubert Ashton Holden. His father was a well-known classical scholar.
Henry went to school at Queen Elizabeth's School in Ipswich. Later, he studied at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. This is where he learned about engineering.
His Time in the Army
In 1875, Henry joined the Royal Artillery. This part of the army uses big guns. He worked in India for a while.
From 1881, he focused on the technical side of the Army. He helped to improve artillery and how weapons were made. He became an inspector at Woolwich Arsenal in 1885. This was a very important factory. He became a Major in 1892.
He became the Superintendent of the Royal Gun Factory in 1899. He also led the Royal Carriage Factory from 1907. He kept these jobs until he retired from the Army in 1912. He retired as a Colonel.
Holden's Inventions
During his career, Henry Holden invented many things. He designed electrical tools for artillery. One important invention was a chronograph. This device could measure how fast a projectile (like a cannonball) traveled.
He also served on the board of the National Physical Laboratory. This lab helps with science and measurements.
Motorcycles and Race Tracks
Henry Holden was also interested in vehicles. In 1895, he designed an engine. He put this engine onto a bicycle. Between 1899 and 1902, he designed the first four-cylinder motorcycle.
In 1906, he designed the famous Brooklands motor racing circuit. This track is in Weybridge, Surrey. It was one of the first purpose-built motor racing tracks in the world.
He was also a director at BSA. This company made motorcycles. In 1921, he became the chairman of the Royal Aero Club. This club is for people interested in flying.
Later Life
Henry Holden married Elizabeth (Bessie) Farrant in 1889. After he retired, he lived in Malvern. He passed away in Greenwich, London, in 1937. His ashes were buried in his family's grave. This grave is in Highgate Cemetery.
Awards and Recognition
Henry Holden received many honors for his work:
- 1895: He was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists.
- 1902: He received the Lefroy Gold Medal.
- 1904: He became the Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club.
- 1911: He was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). This is an award from the King or Queen.
- 1913: He became a Vice-president of the IEE.
- 1914: He was asked to be President of the IEE. But he was too busy to take the job.
- 1916: He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB). This meant he could be called "Sir."
