Rebuilding Birkbeck College

Abstract

IN the murky atmosphere of a Strand tavern on a dreary December evening more than a century ago, the germ of a great ideal first struggled into existence. George Birkbeck, who presided on the occasion, was a man of vision, but it is to be doubted whether even he had more than a glimmering of what the future held for his latest child. Since that night? the gathering of a couple of thousand working men did not disperse until 3 a.m.?Birkbeck College has become an integral part of the body scientific. The appeal launched at the Mansion House on November 7 for funds for rebuilding Birkbeck College is of the highest importance not only to the College alumni but also to scientific workers throughout Great Britain. The Lord Mayor (Sir Stephen Killick), an old student of the College, presided, supported by the Duke of York, president of the College, accompanied by the Duchess, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London (Dr. Eason) and the chairman of the Governing Body (Mr. W. L. Hichens). Owing to the general election, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, another old student, was unable to attend, but wrote a letter strongly supporting the appeal.