Preface - Portrait on front cover is painted by the brother of Humphrey Gainsborough, Thomas Gainsborough RA. The purpose of the book is to honour the memory of the Congregational Minister who settled in Henley in 1748 and for 28 years devoted his leisure hours to engineering and scientific matters. Humphrey Gainsborough was a remarkable character whose achievements and genius should be more widely known and appreciated. A study of his life gives a fascinating insight into the social history of the 18th Centruy.

The author's wife, Mrs Ruby Zena Dora Peters nee Gowar, gave many hours typing and re-typing the manuscripts and encouraged Rev George Hertel Peters in the undertaking of writing this book.

Humprey Gainsborugh invented a Steam Engine with a Separate Condensor. Gainsborough's Sun Dial is in the British Museum.