Glasgow Mechanics' Institution

College of Science and Arts, Glasgow

Anderson's Institution, Glasgow

Anderson's College, Glasgow

The Glasgow Mechanics' Institution was formed on 3 July 1823. It arose as a result of a dispute between the Mechanics' Class of Anderson's Institution (later Anderson's University) and the managers of that Institution with the decision being taken to establish a separate Glasgow Mechanics' Institution. In 1879 the Institution changed its name to the College of Science and Arts following incorporation under the Companies Act of 1862, 1867 and 1877.

The Glasgow Mechanics' Institution initially occupied the upper floor of a disused chapel in Shuttle Street, Glasgow. In 1831John Leadbetter provided the Institution with a building in North Hanover Street, Glasgow. Leadbetter a self made son of a wright had attended evening classes at Anderson's Institution and founded his own firm in around c1815. In 1862 the Institution moved to 38, Bath Street, Glasgow.

John Steel was appointed lecturer in chemistry and mechanics and gave the opening lecture on 8 November 1823. In 1833William Gale introduced a course of instructions in architectural and mechanical drawing. The Institution lobbied to have a Government School of Design attached as part of their organisation, but were refused. By 1843 the drawing classes were organised under a Department of the Mechanics' Institution, also called the School of Design but not connected with the Government Schools. When the Glasgow Government School of Design opened in 1845 student attendance dropped at the Glasgow Mechanics' Institution. In 1848 two lecturers were appointed, one in architectural drawing and one in mechanical drawing. These posts were merged in 1854 and a new post of lecturer in drawing, painting and perspective was created.

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List of sources for the administrative information:

Butt, J., John Anderson's Legacy: The University of Strathclyde and its antecedents, (East Linton, Tuckwell Press Ltd, 1996)

Authority record created according to the National Council on ArchivesRules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names (NCA Rules)1997 and International Council on Archives: Ad Hoc Committee on Descriptive StandardsInternational Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families (ISAAR)CPF1995.

Corporate name authority record compiled for the GASHE project by Emily Woolmore, GASHE project archivist,, 30 March 2000