Reynolds and Branson

Reynolds & Branson Ltd

Company type	Private (from 1898)
Industry	Pharmaceutical, Scientific instruments manufacturing
Founded	1816
Founder	Edward Matterson (original manager)
Defunct	1972
Headquarters	Leeds , England, United Kingdom
Key people	Edward Matterson, William West F.R.S., Thomas Harvey, Richard Reynolds, Frederick W. Branson, Frederick Hartridge Branson, Frederick Norman Branson
Products	Chemists' wholesale and retail distribution, surgical instruments, scientific instruments, chemical glassware, X-ray apparatus
Number of employees	150 (1953)

Reynolds & Branson Leeds operated between 1816 and 1972 from its premises at 13 Briggate and 14 Commercial Street in Leeds, England. The business was overseen by Edward Matterson in 1822, followed by William West F.R.S. taking charge in 1833. The National Archives preserve various company documents such as day books, sales ledgers, and prescription records produced by Reynolds & Branson Ltd. In July 1898, the firm incorporated as a limited company with capital amounting to £34,000 divided into £10 shares, under the leadership of Messrs. R. Reynolds and F. W. Branson; notably, R. Reynolds did not receive a salary while other partners earned £700 per year. Richard Freshfield (Fred) Reynolds joined as a partner in 1890. The company’s core activities included wholesale and retail distribution for chemists alongside manufacturing surgical instruments.

Origins

The firm originated in 1816 under the management of Edward Matterson, a druggist who previously worked for Allen and Hanburys and was educated at Leeds Grammar School. In 1822, operations moved to 13 Briggate. William West F.R.S. assumed control in 1833 after Matterson declared bankruptcy. After West departed in 1839 to concentrate on analytical chemistry, Thomas Harvey joined the firm, which was subsequently renamed Thomas Harvey. Harvey, born into a Quaker family in Barnsley, received his education at Barnsley Grammar School and Ackworth before apprenticing with David Doncaster of Sheffield and training further under Thomas Southalls in Birmingham. He established himself as a chemist in Leeds in 1837 and was notable for his involvement in anti-slavery efforts and philanthropic work.

Richard Reynolds

Richard Reynolds entered the company as an apprentice in 1844. Born in 1829, he was the eldest child of an apothecary who passed away when Reynolds was just four years old. Between 1850 and 1851, he studied at the School of Pharmacy in London, where he achieved top honors in chemistry, materia medica, and botany during pharmaceutical society examinations. Following two years of experience with Henry Deane at Chapman, Reynolds returned to Leeds. In 1854, he formed a partnership with Thomas Harvey named Harvey & Reynolds. By 1861, with Mr. Fowler joining the team, the business became Harvey, Reynolds & Fowler. After Harvey retired around 1864, Mr. Haw joined the partnership leading to the name Haw & Reynolds, later evolving into Haw, Reynolds & Co. Frederick W. Branson became part of the firm in 1883; by 1884 it operated under the name Reynolds & Branson (previously Harvey, Reynolds & Co).

1898–1914

In July 1898, the company was officially registered as a limited entity with £34,000 capital divided into £10 shares under the direction of R. Reynolds and F. W. Branson. Richard Reynolds did not receive any salary while other members earned £700 annually. Richard Freshfield (Fred) Reynolds had become a partner earlier in 1890. The firm’s expertise lay in both wholesale and retail sectors serving chemists and producing surgical instruments. Frederick W. Branson concentrated on advancing scientific instruments and chemical glassware manufacturing, which significantly contributed to expanding the business. Frederick Hartridge pursued studies at the University of Leeds (1905) followed by training at the Pharmaceutical Society School in London (1909). During the lead poisoning crisis in Morley in 1901, the company provided expert advice that helped resolve the problem effectively. Branson also collaborated on medical research papers introducing enhanced methods for determining uric acid levels and played an active role in pharmaceutical standardization initiatives throughout the early twentieth century.

The war years

Throughout the First World War, Branson played a pivotal role in advancing the standardization of chemical glassware dimensions and designs, becoming a founding member of the Society of Glass Technology in 1916. He spearheaded investigations that secured British production methods for glass utilized in munitions factories and authored significant papers on the composition and standardization of chemical glass. Branson remained chairman of the company until his retirement in 1932, after which his son Frederick Hartridge—an Associate of the Royal Institute of Chemistry—assumed leadership. Frederick held the positions of chairman and managing director for twenty years until his passing in 1952. He appointed his three sons and daughter as company directors: Frederick Norman (an alumnus of Ilkley Grammar), Eileen (the sole daughter), Peter Orchard (who directed Phospherade mineral water company), and Richard Orchard.

During the Second World War, Peter served with the RAF’s 54 Spitfire Squadron; he married twice before relocating to Australia in 1953, where he later ran a pharmacy and practiced podiatry until reaching 90 years old. Richard Orchard also flew as an RAF pilot but was killed while on active service in 1945. Following these events, Frederick Norman Branson took over as chairman and managing director in 1953, managing a staff of 150 employees. In 1972, he sold Reynolds & Branson to Barclay, which subsequently transferred ownership to Slater & Walker, known for asset stripping.

Reynolds & Branson Chronological Time Frame

• 1822: Edward Matterson operated as a druggist and paint dealer at 12 Briggate, Leeds.
• 1829: Edward Matterson continued as a druggist at 13 Briggate and 4 Blundel Place.
• 1833: Following Matterson’s bankruptcy, William West F.R.S. assumed control.
• 1839–1841: Thomas Harvey worked as chemist and druggist at 5 Commercial Street, later moving to 13 Briggate, Leeds.
• 1854: Reynolds partnered with Harvey, forming Harvey & Reynolds.
• 1856–1861: The business operated as Harvey & Reynolds and subsequently Harvey, Reynolds & Fowler at Briggate.
• 1864–1872: Haw & Reynolds developed into Haw, Reynolds & Co., with locations on Briggate and Commercial Street.
• 1886: Reynolds & Branson credited with producing the first short clinical thermometer.
• 1891–1911: Reynolds & Reynolds maintained operations as chemists and druggists at 13 Briggate.

X-ray pioneers

On 24 July 1896, during the Photographic Convention of the United Kingdom held in Leeds, Reynolds & Branson demonstrated their expertise in X-ray technology. Mr. Branson delivered an in-depth presentation detailing the construction of X-ray tubes and the manufacture of calcium tungstate screens—an innovation crucial for improving radiographic image clarity. This screen facilitated detailed visualization of delicate bone structures while minimizing exposure duration.

The company also presented an extensive range of products emphasizing X-ray apparatus alongside optical lenses from leading manufacturers, photo-micrographic equipment, chemicals, cameras, and related devices. This exhibit underscored Reynolds & Branson’s commitment to advancing radiographic technology and expanding their photographic instrument offerings to satisfy evolving medical and scientific industry requirements.

Reynolds & Branson Trade Catalogues

Reynolds & Branson produced various trade catalogues including:

• Handy Guide to Surgical Instruments and Appliances, 1887.
• Illustrated Catalogue of Chemical and Physical Apparatus, Pure Chemicals and Reagents, 1890.
• Catalogue of Special Preparations, 1903.
• Illustrated Catalogue of Optical Lanterns, Slides, Compressed Gases and Accessory Apparatus, 1907.
• Illustrated Catalogue of Surgical Instruments and Appliances, 1908.
• Catalogue of Special Preparations, Surgical Instruments, Trusses etc., 1912.
• Catalogue of Laboratory Fittings and Furniture, spanning 1912–1920.

Reynolds & Branson Patents

Significant patents include numbers 1120 (1885), 16373 (1893), and 14102 (1899). Important technological advancements consist of:

• Instantaneous photography shutters (#1650, 1883).
• Devices designed to measure volumes of highly volatile liquids (#3490, 1904).

External links

• Reynolds and Branson at Grace's Guide
• Science Museum Group – Products created by R&B
• Oak Ridge museum – Electroscope produced by R&B
• Cameras manufactured by R&B