Humphrey Cripps
Encyclopedia
Sir Cyril Humphrey Cripps (born 1915, died 14 April 2000) was an English
businessman and a philanthropist
.
Humphrey Cripps was educated at Northampton School For Boys
and went up to St John's College
, Cambridge to read Natural Sciences. He joined the family firm, Pianoforte Supplies Limited, started by his father in 1919 to make the metal components of pianos (the firm grew into a major supplier of metal fittings for other trades, especially the motor industry). Humphrey became Managing Director in 1960 and Chairman in 1979.
The decline in the British car industry in the 1970s caused Humphrey to diversify his business interests, and he invested abroad, playing a major role in the creation of Velcro
Industries. By these means he continued to channel funds into the family charitable foundation.
The Cripps Foundation is a charity established in 1956 by the Cripps family which has made huge gifts to universities, colleges, schools, churches, hospitals and museums. Many Cambridge Colleges have benefited from this generosity, as well as the Fitzwilliam Museum
. Halls of residence at St John's College
, Magdalene College
, Selwyn College
, Queens' College
and the University of Nottingham
are named after the Cripps family. His former school also benefitted. The construction of many of the facilities were made possible through his generous donations.
Public recognition came to both Humphrey and, before him, his father Cyril: both were knighted and Humphrey, after many years of service to Northamptonshire County Council, became High Sheriff
and later Deputy Lieutenant
of the County.
Sir Humphrey was also a noted stamp collector. In 2011, the auction firm of Spink in London began a series of sales of his so-called Chartwell Collection , which stretched to fill 84 stamp albums. The first sessions included rare 19th century stamps of Great Britain and Mauritius, some of which set new world record prices, such as the Mauritius "Post Office" two-penny blue stamp selling for over £1 million.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
businessman and a philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
Humphrey Cripps was educated at Northampton School For Boys
Northampton School For Boys
Northampton School for Boys is a secondary school in Northampton, England.- Foundation and History :The school was originally founded in 1541 by mayor Thomas Chipsey, as the town's free boys grammar school. In 1557, the school moved to St. Gregory's church, which was adapted for its use...
and went up to St John's College
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, Cambridge to read Natural Sciences. He joined the family firm, Pianoforte Supplies Limited, started by his father in 1919 to make the metal components of pianos (the firm grew into a major supplier of metal fittings for other trades, especially the motor industry). Humphrey became Managing Director in 1960 and Chairman in 1979.
The decline in the British car industry in the 1970s caused Humphrey to diversify his business interests, and he invested abroad, playing a major role in the creation of Velcro
Velcro
Velcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabric hook-and-loop fastener, invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral...
Industries. By these means he continued to channel funds into the family charitable foundation.
The Cripps Foundation is a charity established in 1956 by the Cripps family which has made huge gifts to universities, colleges, schools, churches, hospitals and museums. Many Cambridge Colleges have benefited from this generosity, as well as the Fitzwilliam Museum
Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, located on Trumpington Street opposite Fitzwilliam Street in central Cambridge, England. It receives around 300,000 visitors annually. Admission is free....
. Halls of residence at St John's College
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, Magdalene College
Magdalene College, Cambridge
Magdalene College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel, in time coming to be known as Buckingham College, before being refounded in 1542 as the College of St Mary Magdalene...
, Selwyn College
Selwyn College, Cambridge
Selwyn College is a constituent college in the University of Cambridge in England, United Kingdom.The college was founded by the Selwyn Memorial Committee in memory of the Rt Reverend George Selwyn , who rowed on the Cambridge crew in the first Varsity Boat Race in 1829, and went on to become the...
, Queens' College
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
and the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham Halls of Residence
This is a list of halls of residence on the various campuses of the University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England.The University of Nottingham has a particularly well developed system of halls located on its campus...
are named after the Cripps family. His former school also benefitted. The construction of many of the facilities were made possible through his generous donations.
Public recognition came to both Humphrey and, before him, his father Cyril: both were knighted and Humphrey, after many years of service to Northamptonshire County Council, became High Sheriff
High Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
and later Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of the County.
Sir Humphrey was also a noted stamp collector. In 2011, the auction firm of Spink in London began a series of sales of his so-called Chartwell Collection , which stretched to fill 84 stamp albums. The first sessions included rare 19th century stamps of Great Britain and Mauritius, some of which set new world record prices, such as the Mauritius "Post Office" two-penny blue stamp selling for over £1 million.