Roland Sparkes

Roland Sparkes (born England, 1876) is a historian and author.
Roland Sparkes's field of expertise is the history of Warburg's Tincture and the life and work of its creator, Dr Carl Warburg.
Sparkes is also the pre-eminent scholar on the local history of Belmont, Sutton in Surrey, England, United Kingdom.
Roland Sparkes is historical consultant to the 'Belmont Local History' group (established 2009). He has been used as a consultant by the London Borough of Sutton on planning matters.
Sparkes wrote the first book dedicated to the local history Belmont, Sutton, entitled Belmont: A Century Ago (published December 2009, ISBN 978-0-9563424-0-9). This book has been described as "authoritative" by the Sutton Guardian newspaper, and as "excellent" by the Stategic Director of the London Borough of Sutton's environment, heritage and library services. Belmont: A Century Ago is set to be the standard text on the history of Belmont, Sutton. The introductory chapter of Belmont: A Century Ago provides a resume of Belmont's history and development in the Victorian era and the early 20th century, representing an important and authoritative essay on the subject. The book also provides "a fascinating portrait of how the Belmont area looked in the years spanning the Edwardian period and the First World War".
In respect of the local history of Belmont, Sutton, Roland Sparkes' areas of expertise are:
*the built environment in the 19th-century.
*the Downs Road laboratory of Dr Carl Warburg
*Sutton Downs (i.e. east Belmont in mid 19th-century).
*the California Arms public house and John Gibbons.
*Sutton Lodge and the farm of John Overton.
*Cheam Folly.
*Clapham Lodge.
*Banstead Asylum.
*South Metropolitan District School.
*house histories.
*demographic studies of the late Victorian period.
Published work
*Three articles re: Warburg's Tincture and the life and work of Dr Carl Warburg, published 2003.
*Belmont: A Century Ago, published 21 December 2009 by Ashworth Publications. Paperback. ISBN 978-0-9563424-0-9.
*Over forty local history articles in the heritage page of the 'Sutton Guardian' newspaper. Dates: 1998-2003; and 2009-present.
*Articles and other online contributions to the website of the Belmont Local History group. Dates: 2009-present.
*Article re: Dr Carl Warburg's laboratory in Belmont, Sutton, and his life and his work, published on www.belmonthistory.org.uk.
* contributions. Revisions to Belmont, Sutton article. Originated cursory articles on 'Warburg's Tincture' and Dr Carl Warburg.

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