Radical Beginnings, Inspiring Traditions

On the evening of 11 November 1823, around 2000 people flocked to the Crown and Anchor Tavern on the Strand in London to hear Dr George Birkbeck speak on the importance of educating the working people of London. Supporters present at the event included Jeremy Bentham, the philosopher and originator of Utilitarianism, Sir John Hobhouse, a Radical M, and Henry Brougham, a liberal MP, anti-slavery campaigner and educational reformer. Following this initial meeting, the London Mechanics’ Institute was formally created at the same location on 2 December 1823, with the stated aim of educating 'Mechanics', as working men were called at the time. In 1866 The Institute changed its name to the Birkbeck Literary and Scientific Institution, which was shortened to Birkbeck College in 1907.

This foundation of the London Mechanics' Institute meant that, for the first time, ordinary working men could learn about science, art and economics – a concept so controversial that Dr Birkbeck was accused of 'scattering the seeds of evil'. Some people feared that educating working men could lead to a revolution. Undeterred, Dr Birkbeck called his supporters to action: 'Now is the time for the universal benefits of the blessings of knowledge.' Many donors were convinced by the important mission and enough money was raised to open the Institute and push forward a radical new vision.  This page from the 1824 Student Register shows the names and trades of some of the first working men to study at the Institute. In 1830, The London Mechanics' Institute took a further radical step by becoming one of the first colleges to admit women as students. From the start, students were represented on the  Institute's governing body - a tradition which continues today.

In 1884 a generous donation from Francis Ravenscroft, of the robe-making firm Ede and Ravenscroft, helped pay for the move to the Breams Building, on Fetter Lane, which would be home to Birkbeck for the next 67 years. During this time Birkbeck cemented its unique position in higher education, providing part-time teaching for students in full-time employment. In 1920, Birkbeck became a constituent college of the federal University of London.

From 1858, Birkbeck students were allowed to sit University of London degrees. Birkbeck soon became first choice for Londoners who wanted a university education but could not afford to study full time. The famous socialist economist Sidney Webb described Birkbeck as delivering "the kind of evening instruction for the intelligent workman that is unique to the world. No other city has anything equal to it". In the early years, both morning and evening classes were offered, but daytime teaching was phased out in 1925.

During the first half of the 20th century, Birkbeck had a flourishing amateur dramatic society. The students' theatrical and operatic productions were of a high standard and received reviews in national newspapers. The productions were staged in the College Theatre at the Breams Building.

One in four of the staff and students who enlisted during The Great War were killed in the conflict. This photograph shows Lord Haldane, President of Birkbeck College from 1919-1928, unveiling the Roll of Honour. During the war the College introduced lectures on military subjects to support the war effort, and offered free education to Belgian refugees. Women students increasingly sought training in medical, dental and pharmaceutical subjects. In 1917, Birkbeck's first woman professor, Helen Gwynne-Vaughan, was appointed Chief Controller of the British Army's Auxiliary Corps. Lieutenant Commander Milner-Barry, a lecturer in German, worked on detecting spy plots, illegal immigrants and contraband.

Birkbeck was the only university in central London to stay open during Second World War, despite ferocious bombing in the Blitz. The Master of the College declared that it was Birkbeck's duty to "irrigate the intellectual desert of London" during the conflict. Many classes were held during the day instead of the evening, to avoid problems with the blackout. The College also organised lunch time extramural lectures for the public.

In 1952 Birkbeck moved to a new building in Malet Street, Bloomsbury, which was officially opened by the late Queen Mother. The new building is in the heart of London University, next to Senate House, which is the University's administrative centre. The additional space at Malet Street allowed the Birkbeck to expand. New academic departments included Computer Science (1957) and Occupational Psychology (1961), both of which were the first of their kind in the United Kingdom.

Birkbeck College celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 1973. In July of that year it held an Open Day and Garden Party at the main building in Malet Street.

Notable Birkbeck students include social reformer and co-founder of the LSE, Sidney Webb, future playwrite Arthur Wing Pinero, and Annie Besant, whose involvement with atheists and birth controllers so alarmed the College Governors that they tried to avoid publishing her exam results. A host of famous literary and political figures gave lectures at the College, including Oscar Wilde and Millicent Fawcett. Poet TS Eliot taught English at Birkbeck for a short time in 1915. Notable staff include Nikolaus Pevsner, architectural historian and critic, who became Birkbeck's first Professor of History of Art in 1959, historian Eric Hobsbawn, who joined the College as a lecturer in 1947, and Rosalind Franklin, 'The Dark Lady of DNA', who worked as a Research Fellow at Birkbeck alongside Aaron Klug in the 1950s.

Today, Birkbeck graduates follow in the footsteps of radical thinkers, social reformers, ground-breaking scientists, and even a Prime Minister. Birkbeck, University of London, continues to pursue the central mission of its founders and is still London's only specialist provider of part-time evening higher education.  It is also a world-class research institution. Birkbeck will celebrate its Bicentenary in 2023.