Samuel Alfred Varley
{{Short description|English electrical engineer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Samuel Alfred Varley
| image =
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| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1832
| birth_place =
| death_date = 1921 (aged 88−89)
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| nationality = English
| other_names =
| occupation = Electrical engineer
| years_active =
| known_for = Among the first to make a self-excited dynamo; invented compound winding for dynamos
| notable_works =
}}
Samuel Alfred Varley (1832–1921) was an English electrical engineer. He was one of ten children born to Cornelius Varley and Elizabeth Livermore Straker.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Samuel_Alfred_Varley|title = Samuel Alfred Varley - Graces Guide}}
Career
In 1852, Samuel started work for the Electric Telegraph Company in Manchester. His brother, C. F. Varley, had been employed by the same company since 1849. During the 1850s, Samuel was involved in supervising field telegraphs in the Crimean War.[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v129/n3264/abs/129752b0.html The Varley brothers. Nature. 1932] He also published papers on cable signalling. In 1861, Samuel took over the running of a telegraph factory in London, owned by his father.
Inventions
In 1866, he was among the first to make a self-excited dynamo. Other contenders were Charles Wheatstone and Werner von Siemens. He also invented compound winding for dynamos.[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v107/n2703/abs/107789b0.html Samuel Alfred Varley(Obit) Nature 1921]
In 1873, he read a paper at the Society of Engineers. The subject was "Railway Train Intercommunication" and he described a system fitted to the London and North Western Railway Royal Train.
Family
In 1860, Samuel married Emily Andrews and the couple had seven children.
Death
Samuel died at Abbottsacre Lodge, Abbott's Road, Winchester on 4 August 1921. His estate passed to his son Telford Varley (1866–1938).{{acad|id=VRLY884T|name=Varley, Telford}}
References
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Category:English electrical engineers
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