Queen Elizabeth College Information

Queen Elizabeth College (QEC) had its origins in the Ladies (later Womens) Department of Kings College, London, England, opened in 1885. The first Kings extension lectures for ladies were held at Richmond in 1871, and from 1878 in Kensington, with chaperones in attendance.

In 1881, the Council resolved to establish a department of Kings College, London, for the higher education of women, to be conducted on the same principles as the existing departments of education at this college. By 1886, the Kings College, London Ladies Department had 500 students. In 1902 it became the Kings College, London Womens Department and in 1908 Kings College for Women. In 1907 lectures were given in subjects then thought to be specially relevant to women, such as the economics of health and women and the land, and in 1908 systematic instruction in household and social sciences began.

In 1915, the Household and Social Science Department of Kings College for Women opened at Campden Hill Road, Kensington, while other departments were transferred to the Strand site. In 1928 the Department became completely independent as Kings College of Household and Social Science, and in 1953 it received a royal charter, its name was changed to Queen Elizabeth College and men were admitted for the first time. The College became distinguished for its teaching and research in nutrition, physiology, hygiene and microbiology. It was recognised as a School of the University of London in 1956.

The original Campden Hill Road buildings combined both the lecture theatres, laboratories and library but also included the only Hall of residence – Queen Mary Hall. By the late 1960s the expansion of student numbers and the need for additional laboratory capacity necessitated the construction of a new Building – the Atkins building located on Campden Hill, behind the main college.

QEC reunited with Kings College London in 1985, and the Kensington campus became associated with biomedical sciences. However, the campus was closed and sold in 2000 with the contents being decanted to the Franklin-Wilkins Building. Part of the campus has subsequently been converted into Academy Gardens, apartments which retain some QEC branding.

Envoy is the annual newsletter of Queen Elizabeth College. The Queen Elizabeth College alumni/old student association organises a reunion every year.

Complete article available at this page.