Reference code
ZA UCT BC672
Title
SS Morris Papers
Date(s)
- 1940-1983 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
ca.10 000 items
Name of creator
(1912-1984)
Biographical history
Dr Solomon (Solly) Simon Morris was born in Cape Town in 1912. He attended Cape Town High School and the University of Cape Town where he obtained his H Sc. Degree in Civil Engineering in 1933. He joined the City Council in 1934 and was appointed Building Surveyor in 1944. He became City Engineer in 1950 the youngest person and the first South African to be appointed to the post. He retained this post until 1975, when he retired and opened his own engineering and town planning practice.
He was known internationally as the creator of the most advanced urban road system in South Africa. He was the originator of a number of other projects e.g. the Wemmershoek Dam, the Voelvlei water scheme, the Golden Acre project and the Mitchell's Plain community complex. He was the first foreigner to be awarded the 'British Institution of Municipal Engineers' Gold Medal.
Dr Morris was a member of the U.C.T. Council. He died in May, 1984, leaving his wife Lydia, and two daughters, Sorrel and Maureen.
He was known internationally as the creator of the most advanced urban road system in South Africa. He was the originator of a number of other projects e.g. the Wemmershoek Dam, the Voelvlei water scheme, the Golden Acre project and the Mitchell's Plain community complex. He was the first foreigner to be awarded the 'British Institution of Municipal Engineers' Gold Medal.
Dr Morris was a member of the U.C.T. Council. He died in May, 1984, leaving his wife Lydia, and two daughters, Sorrel and Maureen.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Scope and content
The collection comprises the personal and official papers of Dr Solly Morris. His personal papers include academic papers, letters of reference, speeches, correspondence (personal and semi-personal), radio plays and short stories. The official papers contain information pertaining to projects, major and minor, that he undertook as City Engineer, and later as a private consulting Engineer. They include conference and symposium material, both national and international, correspondence and publications from institutions and societies to which Dr Morris belonged, and publications of engineering and town planning interest. Most importantly, they trace the progress of the major projects which controversially changed the face of Cape Town.
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions governing access
No restrictions apply
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
Script of material
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Existence and location of originals
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Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
2013
Language(s)
- English