Charles Aspull Wells
Charles Aspull Wells (c1826-1904)
1904 Obituary [1]
CHARLES ASPULL WELLS died suddenly at Lewes on April 6, 1904, at the age of 78. The same town was also his birthplace and residence throughout his life.
After completing his education at school he entered, in 1842, the service of Mr. H. A. Thompson, of the Etna Ironworks, where he was at first engaged partly in the workshops and partly in the office. Six years later the firm exhibited on a large scale at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show at Lewes, and a catalogue for the press was prepared by Mr. Wells.
He also had the advantage on this occasion of making the acquaintance of Mr. Fothergill Cook, joint inventor of the electric telegraph.
About this time he took an active part in the organisation of classes at the Mechanics' Institute, and in 1853 he gave his first public lecture at the Institute, continuing for many years to lecture on electricity, chemistry, and the arts.
In 1858 he became manager of Mr. Thompson's works, and on the death of the latter he succeeded to the business. To Mr. Wells belongs the honour of the introduction of the electric light into Lewes.
For many years he was prominently associated with the public affairs of his native town, and on the incorporation of the borough in 1881 he was elected a member of the Town Council, an office which he continued to hold until 1888, when he retired.
He was elected an Associate of the Institution of Electrical Engineers in 1889, and was transferred to the class of Associate Members in 1902.