Allan D. Colvin (1883-1950) Papers, 1906-1951

Historical Note

Allan D. Colvin, '06, native of Troy and president of the Connecticut Power Company, died March 11, 1950 in New London Conn., after a brief illness. The son of the late Henry Colvin, who was president of two Troy banks-Troy Savings and National State (which later merged with the Manufacturers National)-Mr. Colvin was graduated at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1906 and had served as a life trustee of the Institute since 1931. At the time of his election to the RPI board, Mr. Colvin's father was also a trustee, and they served together on this unusual combination of a father and son on the board at the same time until his father's death in 1936.

Mr. Colvin was born on November 26, 1883. Immediately following his graduation from RPI, he served as a personal assistant to Dr. William L. Robb, who was head of RPI's Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics. At Dr. Robb's suggestion and assistance Mr. Colvin then became an assistant superintendent of the Electric Department of the Troy Gas Company. The job called for being on duty twelve hours a day. His transportation over the territory served was by means of horse and buggy.

In 1909 Mr. Colvin returned to RPI as a teacher in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics. In 1911 Mr. Colvin joined the Hartford, Conn., Electric Light Company as an assistant to the general manager. He became general manager of the company in 1921, and served in that capacity until 1929 when he was chosen executive vice president of the Connecticut Power Company with headquarters in New London. He was elected president of the latter company last winter. The Hartford Electric Light Company and the Connecticut Power Company are associated to some extent, and Mr. Colvin was a director of both companies. He also served as president of the New London Chamber of Commerce. He was a corporator of the Savings Bank of New London and a director of the Union Bank and Trust Company.

Mr. Colvin was a member of the commission in charge of the new bridge across the Thames River at New London. The bridge was a difficult engineering project, costing about six million dollars. Mr. Colvin was married to the former Lena H. Marshall, with whom he had a son, Henry Marshall Colvin. [from Alumni News, May 1950]

Scope and Content Note

The Allan D. Colvin Papers, 1906-1951, contain clippings, programs, etc. from his service on the Groton-New London Bridge Commission, scrapbook entries concerning events in his life and miscellaneous correspondence received from colleagues at the Connecticut Power Company after 25 years of service. Apart from this small amount of material, the collection contains no information regarding Allan Colvin's administration, Connecticut Power Company or the Hartford Electric Light Company. Allan Colvin's papers also include a specimen of RPI Prof. Dwinel Thompson's hieroglyphic marking system (ca. 1906), accounts of the coin collection which Allan and his father acquired, various certificates, and letters of condolence to his widow upon his death.

The papers of Henry Colvin comprise scrapbook entries, miscellaneous certificates, and a resolution of appreciation and condolence passed upon Mr. Colvin's death by RPI Board of Trustees.

Inventory