In 1929, the University accepted a bequest under the will of John Humphrey Plummer (1850-1928) for the promotion of education in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Science or allied subjects with a view to providing professorships of an annual stipend of £1200. Plummer was an estate agent and property developer in Southport, Merseyside, particularly involved in the development of Lord Street and the Leyland Arcade, with no known connection to the University of Cambridge. To implement Plummer's bequest, his executors sought the guidance of the Chancery Court (of the County Palatine of Lancaster) in 1931 to approve a scheme for the operation of a trust. Under the scheme, four trustees were appointed, two typically from within the University, to oversee the administration of the John Humphrey Plummer Foundation. Plummer’s residuary estate consisted of freehold and leasehold properties, mostly in Southport. By 1969, all of Plummer’s properties had been sold with the proceeds invested. The number and subject of professorships was agreed between the University and the trustees. In the event of a vacancy, a professorship could continue or a completely new professorship could be established. John Humphrey Plummer Professorships have included Mathematical Physics, Applied Numerical Analysis, Colloidal Science, Theoretical Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics and Cell Biology, supporting the work of Sir Eric K. Rideal, Sir John E. Lennard-Jones, Sir Ralph Howard Fowler, Christopher Longuet-Higgins, Sir Brian Pippard, Sir Alan Hodgkin and Sir Samuel Edwards among others. In 2007, under the aegis of the Charity Commission, the University assumed the role of sole trustee. The existing trustees retired and all reserves were transferred to the University.