Biographical Account: James William Puttrell was the son of a Sheffield painter and decorator in the 19th century.  He is best remembered as a pioneering rock climber and pot holer in the Peak district.  He was the first to climb several of the peaks of the Peak District and explored many of the mines and caverns of the area.  He was an authority of local geology, and accumulated a large collection, particularly of the Derbyshire speciality of blue john, which he would often carve into bowls and urns.  A true working class hero, Puttrell became something of a local celebrity, often speaking on local radio programmes about his exploits.  Puttrell died in 1939 and bequeathed his collection to Weston Park Museum.