University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is the oldest of three universities in the English city of Birmingham. It was founded in 1900 as a successor to Mason Science College, and is thus the earliest of the "Redbrick" universities. A major research-led institution, it currently has nearly 17,000 undergraduate and 7,000 postgraduate students.

History of the university

On 23 February 1875, Sir Josiah Mason, the Birmingham industrialist and philanthropist, who made his fortune in making key rings, pens, pen nibs and electroplating, founded Mason Science College. It was this institution that would eventually form the nucleus of the University of Birmingham.

Related Topics:
23 February - 1875 - Josiah Mason - Birmingham - Industrialist - Philanthropist - Mason Science College

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1882 their Departments of Chemistry, Botany and Physiology were transferred to Mason Science College, soon followed by the Departments of Physics and Comparative Anatomy.

Related Topics:
1882 - Chemistry - Botany - Physiology - Physics - Comparative Anatomy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The transfer of the Medical School to Mason Science College gave considerable impetus to the growing importance of that College, and in 1896, a move to incorporate it as a University College was made. As the result of the Mason University College Act 1897 it became incorporated as Mason University College on 1 January 1898, with the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain MP becoming the President of its Court of Governors. It was largely due to Chamberlain's tireless enthusiasm that the University was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria on 24 March 1900.

Related Topics:
College - 1896 - 1897 - 1 January - 1898 - Joseph Chamberlain - Royal Charter - Queen Victoria - 24 March - 1900

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Calthorpe family offered twenty-five acres (10 hectares) of land on the Bournbrook side of their estate in July. The Court of Governors received the Birmingham University Act 1900, which put the Royal Charter into effect, on 31 May.

Related Topics:
Calthorpe - Bournbrook - Royal Charter - 31 May

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The transfer of Mason University College to the new University of Birmingham, with Chamberlain as its first Chancellor and Sir Oliver Lodge as the first Principal, was complete.

Related Topics:
Chancellor - Sir Oliver Lodge - Principal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~