Mr. Thomas Young Greener was born on May 1st, 1855, at Pemberton, near Wigan, where his father, William Greener, was General Manager of the collieries belonging to Colonel Blundell. Mr. T. Y. Greener came of Durham stock, as his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all born in the County, and were all, in different capacities, connected with coal-mining.

On the death of his father in 1865, the family removed to York, and Mr. T. Y. Greener received part of his education at St. Peter's School there, and subsequently at The College of Science (Armstrong College), Newcastle-upon-Tyne. At the age of sixteen or seventeen Mr. Greener was apprenticed to the late Mr. Thomas Douglas at Peases West Collieries, Crook. After serving his time there he became Surveyor at the Pemberton Collieries, and, subsequently, at the Thorncliffe Collieries belonging to Messrs. Newton, Chambers & Co., Ltd.

In 1879 he accepted the position of Manager to the Rainford Coal Co., near Liverpool, and whilst there he married Mary Hannah, eldest daughter of the late Mr. William Leech, the owner of the Peppermill Brass Foundry, Wigan.

About 1884 he became General Manager and Agent of the Hucknall Torkard Collieries, near Nottingham, belonging to the late Sir John E. Ellis.

In 1891 he was appointed Agent to Peases West Collieries, belonging to Messrs. Pease & Partners, Ltd., on the resignation of Mr. Thomas Douglas. Mr. Greener occupied this position until 1913, when he became General Manager and Agent of the Holmside and South Moor Collieries, and carried out the duties there with great activity and success until May, 1932, when his health completely broke down and it became necessary for him to retire.

As to his work, it would be safe to say that he was known throughout the County of Durham, and outside the County, as a thoroughly efficient mining engineer and expert adviser, straightforward and reliable. He was a Member of this Institute, and commenced as a Student in 1872, was elected an Associate Member in 1879, and elected to full membership in 1889. He was President of this Institute during the years 1914-1916.

Mr. Greener took a leading part in the negotiations between the Durham Coal Owners' Association and the Workmen's Associations in connexion with the wages and conditions of men employed at the collieries and coke-yards in the County. He acted for some years as Chairman of the Arbitration Committee established by the Colliery Owners and the Workmen's Unions for the purpose of dealing with claims arising out of the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and during the time he occupied the Chair he won the respect and confidence of both owners and men.

When Mr. Greener in 1932 felt compelled to retire he did so quietly, having the satisfaction of knowing that his work had been well done. It was characteristic of him not to repine or murmur, he simply bowed to the inevitable. Mercifully he never suffered mentally or bodily, but gradually became weaker until finally on Christmas Eve, 1934, he breathed his last. He was buried in Stanley Churchyard beside his wife, who died in 1919.

Of him it may truly be said, his work was his life.