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Robert H. Roy papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0354

Scope and Contents

The collection of Johns Hopkins University professor and engineer, Robert H. Roy, is formed largely by his published articles on engineering science and technology. The written work, 1938-1981, reflects Professor Roy's career and demonstrates the way in which he applied his engineering background to both industry and to teaching and administration.

The papers do not include lecture notes, research notes, personal items, or administrative items from his sevice as Dean, School of Engineering. Aside from the published articles, the collection also contains several certificates and awards (1945-1991) received by Professor Roy, some incoming correspondence (1953-1967), and reports and papers from conferences, seminars attended by Professor Roy. Incoming letters, 1953-1954, are messages of congratulations regarding Roy's appointment as Dean of the Engineering School. Other correspondence, 1964-1967, relates to publishing matters.

Roy's published articles (1938-1955) were related to his interest in industrial engineering and more specifically to operations and efficient management in the printing business. When he joined the faculty at Hopkins he wrote often about engineering curriculums and the professional aspects of the field of engineering (1956-1981). Professor Roy's work in operations research and the administrative processes of engineering were recognized internationally. In the collection are copies of texts written by Roy, translated into Japanese and Arabic.

Dates

  • Creation: 1938-1991

Creator

Language of Materials

Includes Japanese and Arabic materials.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Special Collections department. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Biographical / Historical

Robert H. Roy was born in Baltimore, MD in 1906. Following his graduation from The Johns Hopkins University with the B.E. degree in 1928, he joined Waverly Press, Inc. in Baltimore and advanced to the position of vice president for engineering. At the Press, he was actively involved in engineering research and development of new equipment in the printing field. He developed the Roy type case which permitted greater speed and accuracy for type setters. He also developed a system of pre-positioning press forms which materially increases press room production. By time and motion studies he created new press room procedures and work standards which also increased output.

In 1945, Roy became a labor arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and served in thirty cases involving various companies and unions. He was a contract arbitrator for Lever Brothers Co. and the International Chemical Workers-A.F.L.

In 1949, Roy returned to Hopkins when he joined the faculty as an associate professor of industrial engineering. In 1953, he was appointed Dean of the School of Engineering, a position he held until his retirement in 1973. Professor Roy has been active in several professional societies and has had more than 40 articles published. He is the author of several books on industrial engineering including The Administrative Process (1958), Operations Research and Systems Engineering (1964), and Horizons for a Profession (1967).

Extent

1.25 Cubic Feet (1 record center carton)

Arrangement

The collection has been artificially arranged, and the writings have been filed chronologically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The papers were given to the University by Robert H. Roy, January, 1993.

Accruals

Accession number 1992-93.ms.029.

Related Materials

Professor Roy's two daughters encouraged him to write an account of his varied career and to describe his many professional and civic activities. In 1990, he privately published a memoir, Bragolections, in which he described the accomplishments in both his industrial and his academic careers. A copy of this memoir is filed under the author's name in the vertical files maintained at the Ferdinand Hamburger, Jr. Archives, Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed in May 1993 by Joan Grattan.

Title
Robert H. Roy papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA