Anderson's Institution, Glasgow

The Andersonian

Anderson's University, Glasgow 1828-1877

Anderson's College, Glasgow 1877-1887

John Anderson, MA, FRS, the founder of Anderson's Institution, was born at Rosneath, Dunbartonshire, in 1726, the eldest son of James Anderson, minister of Rosneath parish. He studied at the University of Glasgow and was appointed Professor of Oriental Languages in 1756, and Professor of Natural Philosophy in 1760. During his tenure of the latter chair, he saw that an acquaintance with the principles of natural philosophy would be invaluable to mechanics, and this led him to establish, in addition to his usual class, one of a more popular character, for those whose pursuits did not allow them to follow the routine of academic study. These lectures were illustrated by numerous experiments, and were such as could be understood by those who had not the advantage of a mathematical education. He continued to hold this class every Tuesday and Thursday during the session to the close of his life. About this time he commenced making a private collection of scientific apparatus and natural history specimens, which formed the nucleus of the Andersonian Museum, now dispersed. John Anderson died on 13 January 1796, bequeathing by his will, dated 7 May 1795, the whole of his property, with a few trifling exceptions, 'to the public, for the good of mankind, and the improvement of science, in an institution to be denominated Anderson's University'. Initially, however, the institution established under this will, on 9 June 1796, and by seal of cause of the City of Glasgow magistrates was known as Anderson's Institution. In 1828 it changed its name to Anderson's University and in 1877 Anderson's University became Anderson's College, following the passing of the Anderson's College (Glasgow) Act (40 Vic., c.xii), entitled 'An Act for incorporating the Trustees of the Educational Institution in Glasgow founded under the Will of Professor John Anderson; for altering the name of that Institution and the powers and duties of the Trustees and Managers thereof; and for other purposes'.

The institution was initially located in John Street, Glasgow, Scotland, but in 1828 it moved into new premises in George Street.

According to the design of the founder, there were to be four faculties in the institution; Arts, Medicine, Law, and Theology, besides an elementary school or academy, and each faculty was to consist of nine professors. The Faculties of Law and Theology were always in abeyance and, as the funds were quite inadequate to carry out the plan, the institution was first commenced with only a single course of lectures on natural philosophy and chemistry by Dr Thomas Garnett. In 1798 a Professor of Mathematics and Geography was appointed. In 1799, Dr Garnett having gone to London as the first professor of the Royal Institution, he was succeeded by the eminent Dr Birkbeck, who, in addition to the branches taught by his predecessor, gave free lectures on mechanics and other scientific subjects.

In 1823 there was a split in the institution's mechanics class which resulted in half remaining and half forming the Glasgow Mechanics' Institution. Between 1829-1830 professorships in drawing and painting, geology, natural history, mineralogy, modern languages, logic and English composition and veterinary surgery were created. In 1868 the Chair of Applied Mechanics was created followed by the Chair in Technical Chemistry, founded by James Young, in 1870.

The institution's medical school dates back to the year 1800, when Dr John Burns commenced lectures on anatomy and surgery. These were separated into distinct lectureships in 1828. In 1819 Botany was added; in 1828 the Chairs of Midwifery, Materia Medica, and the Practice of Medicine were instituted, followed by Medical Jurisprudence in 1831, Institutes of Medicine or Physiology in 1849 and Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery in 1869. The Medical School long held a foremost position as an extra-mural school, and provided a medical education at a cost suited to the circumstances of many who would not otherwise have been able to prosecute the study of medicine.

Under the terms of John Anderson's will the institution was to be managed by eighty-one trustees. These trustees, the first of whom are named in the deed, were of nine classes - namely, tradesmen, agriculturists, artists, manufacturers or merchants, mediciners, lawyers, divines, natural philosophers, and kinsmen.

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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,, 29 March 2000