BRIEF HISTORY DURING THE SNOW ERA (1813-58)

University College started as the University of London which was founded in 1826 and opened in 1828.  The intent was to provide university education for students who were restricted from Oxford and Cambridge universities because they were not Anglicans (that is, members of the Church of England). The main facility was built on Gower Street in 1827-9 (see 1828 picture below).  Because of its non-denominational nature, the University was often referred to as the godless college in Gower Street.  The  University of London was renamed University College in 1836.  

Also in 1836, a new University of London was formed which was authorized by royal decree as the examining body for educational degrees, including medicine, but not permitted to give classes.  Courses were expected to be taken at University College or other recognized teaching institutions.  Thereafter, eligible students could sit for their examinations at the University of London.  

Across Gower Street was the North London Hospital, built in 1834.  It joined University College in 1837 and was renamed University College Hospital.  The Hospital as well as University College provided medical instruction to precede the University of London examination.  As a result, for the first time a medical degree was obtainable in London, independent of Oxford and Cambridge. In 1846, the surgeon Robert Liston performed the first operation here with ether (see picture at left).  In 1846, Joseph Lister who became famous for introducing antiseptic surgery in 1867, was a student (see picture at right).  Lister was a Quaker and thus was unable to enter either Oxford or Cambridge, both catering to Anglican students.   

In the 1859 map, University College is identified as University of London, of which it was a part. University College Hospital  is shown as a black rectangle to the left of "St" in Gower Street.  In the 1870 Old Ordnance Survey map, both University College and University College Hospital are clearly identified.

Source:  Weinreb B, Hibbert C (eds). The London Encyclopaedia, 1993.