Hugh Sinclair Archive Project

This project will catalogue and make available the records of Dr Hugh Macdonald Sinclair DM, DSc, FRCP (1910-90). Dr Sinclair was an academic and nutritionist who was a pioneer in the study of the importance of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) in relation to chronic diseases.

Dr Sinclair bequeathed his estate to the trustees of the International Institute of Human Nutrition who decided to use the proceeds to establish a university Chair in Human Nutrition. The assets of the estate were transferred to the Hugh Sinclair Trust at the University of Reading in 1995 and in 1997 the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition was established and the first Hugh Sinclair Professor was appointed. As well as Sinclair's property, the estate included his remaining library, research material and other papers.

A grant was acquired from the Hugh Sinclair Trust for a one year project archivist post to review the contents of the collection, make assessments about its research value and assess its preservation needs. This initial project was completed in March 2011.

The current project, generously funded by the Hugh Sinclair Trust, is due to be completed in May 2013.

An exhibition about the life and work of Dr Sinclair is on display in the Staircase Hall at MERL. For more information click here