University of Sydney

The University of Sydney, established in 1850, is the oldest university in Australia, and it is located in Sydney, the capital city of the state of New South Wales. It is a member of Australia's "Group of Eight" lobby group and remains one of the country's largest educational institutions. In 2004, the University of Sydney reported an enrolment of 47,296 students and employed 2,451 (full-time equivalent) academics.

Establishment

During 1848 William Charles Wentworth proposed a plan to expand the existing Sydney College into a university in the Legislative Council. Wentworth argued that a state university was imperative for the growth of a society aspiring towards self-government, and that it would provide the opportunity for 'the child of every class, to become great and useful in the destinies of his country'. It would take two attempts on Wentworth's behalf however, before the plan was finally adopted.

Related Topics:
1848 - William Charles Wentworth - Legislative Council

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The University was established via the passage of the University of Sydney Act, which was signed on October 1 1850. The University was finally inaugurated in October 1852. By 1859, the university had moved to its permanent and current site in the Sydney suburb of Camperdown.

Related Topics:
October 1 - 1850 - 1852 - 1859

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In 1858, the passage of the Electoral Act provided for the university to become a constituency for the Legislative Assembly as soon as there were 100 graduates with higher degrees. This seat in Parliament was first filled in 1876, but was abolished in 1880 one year after its second Member, Edmund Barton, was elected to the Legislative Assembly.

Related Topics:
1858 - Legislative Assembly - 1876 - 1880 - Edmund Barton

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