Dr. Harold Temperton
1913 – 1984
DR HAROLD TEMPERTON was born in 1913 in Stockton-on-Tees, he can rightly be considered the “father” of British poultry education.
He enrolled as a poultry student in 1932 at Harper Adams College in Shropshire, during which time he was active in the debating society, won a short story competition, and left with a medal attached to his poultry certificate.
Having obtained a National Diploma in Poultry, he then gained a National Diploma in Agriculture, before enrolling at Durham University.
There he was awarded a Batchellor of Science degree and the accolade of “best student of the year”, before going on to obtain a doctorate in poultry nutrition, followed in time by a higher doctorate in recognition of more than 50 published scientific papers.
Dr Temperton was married to Christine, who always encouraged and supported him in all he did, including becoming a magistrate at the age of 32. Hockey and cricket were his sports, but running was the one in which he excelled.
Following a six-month travel scholarship to America, Dr Temperton returned as a county assistant poultry instructor, based at Hutton in Lancashire. Whilst there, he designed the first cage laying house, for demonstration at Harper Adams.
Soon after, he joined the Harper Adams staff full-time as a senior research officer, with subsequent promotion to become head of the National Institute of Poultry Husbandry (NIPH) in 1951, helping it become the leading institute of its kind in the world.
One notable event, in 1966, was the establishment of the Bramble committee, and the development of codes of practice for farm animal welfare. The NIPH responded by hosting the British Egg Marketing Board’s “experimental unit”, and Dr Temperton was appointed the honorary director.
Further promotion came, with Dr Temperton’s appointment as vice-principal of Harper Adams, a position he held until his retirement in 1974.
At his retirement party, he was referred to as “Mr Poultry Scientist”, who had devoted 36 years to the college. He would also be remembered for his unending devotion to helping students, both at college and afterwards in their careers.
Retirement was unwelcome, but gave more time for his many interests, including his wish to visit and photograph every church in Shropshire.
Following his death in 1984, Harper Adams established the Temperton Fellowship to commemorate Dr Temperton’s contribution to poultry research. Each year, a new “fellow” is invited to present a research report to industry experts at the Farmers Club in London.
Throughout his life, Dr Temperton sought to lead, not to follow. He was especially skilled in obtaining financial support and winning industry over to his side. He was rich in anecdote and humour, and generous in his recognition of the achievement of others.
He goes down in the history of the British poultry industry as one of its great leaders – teacher, scientist and humanist.