IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0370 WFD
Held at: Queen Mary, University of London
Title: WESTFIELD COLLEGE
Date(s): 1880-1989
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 19 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Westfield College
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Westfield College was established in 1882 in Hampstead through the benefactions of Ann Dudin Brown (1823-1917) and Sarah Benedict Brown (1819-1902). A pioneer of women's education, the college was the first specifically aimed at preparing women for University of London degrees and, taking the Oxbridge women's colleges as its example, it was also the first London women's college to make residence a requirement. The first Mistress was Constance Maynard who guided the establishment for 31 years, retaining the title even after her retirement when her successors adopted the title of Principal.
In 1902, on the second application, Westfield College became a School of the University in the Faculties of Arts. Although science, in the form of Mathematics and Biology, was taught the facilities at that time were insufficient for the College to be admitted to the University's Faculty of Science. However, the development of the teaching of Botany, which did not require elaborate laboratories, following the appointment of Marion Delf in 1906 allowed a successful application to the University in 1910. During the 1920s the policy of restricting its intake for the Bachelor of Arts to those who were prepared to read for Honours, was introduced, although the different structure for the Bachelor of Science meant that Pass students were still accepted. However, by this time General Students, those who did not intend to take any examination, were no longer accepted although exceptions were sometimes made for overseas students.
In 1933 Westfield was granted its Royal Charter of Incorporation, marking the College's Jubilee. During the war years, 1939-1945, the College was evacuated to St Peter's Hall, Oxford, where it had its very first male students, six Jesuit students who were evacuated to Oxford where Westfield was the only College at which they could continue their London arts degrees. Men students were not formally admitted to the College until 1964. At this time the College embarked on an expansionist policy to double its student numbers from 600 to 1200 and pursue a comprehensive development plan for which Sir Hugh Casson's firm of architects was commissioned. A Supplemental Charter was granted in 1976 which, among other provisions, removed the religious constraints of the original Charter and recognised the Faculties as distinct entities although the Departments continued to be the basis of academic life. These had expanded to include Computer Science (1971), Physics (1961), Zoology (1960), Drama (1976) and History of Art.
In the early 1980s it became obvious that Westfield would be unable to continue as an independent institution and possible mergers were explored. During this process some Departments were transferred to other Colleges of the University and finally in 1989 Westfield joined Queen Mary College, vacating its Hampstead premises and moving to Whitechapel.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Archives of Westfield College, 1880-1989, comprising records relating to the constitution, 1883-1976, including Trust Deed and charters; administrative records, 1882-1989, including Council minutes, 1882-1989, and correspondence, 1930s-1980s, Committee minutes, 1890-1965, and negotiations with other colleges regarding possible mergers, 1964-1989; finance records, 1882-1980s, including account books, 1882-1951, and appeals, 1930s-1980s; estates records, 1855-1988, including property title records; records of academic affairs, 1906-1985, including Academic Board/Principal Staff meetings minutes, 1909-1959, Faculty minutes, 1955-1989, records of the Botany Department, 1906-1948; records of relations with the University of London, 1902-1948 and University Grants Committee (UGC) Visitations, 1933-1979; records of non-degree courses, 1901-1968; records of special events, 1928-1988, including royal visits and grants of arms; registers of students, 1882-1964; records of student societies, 1894-1965, and students' union, 1917-1988; publications, 1883-1989, including annual reports, 1883-1989, prospectuses, 1928-1988, and College magazines, 1892-1989; photographs, 1880s-1980s; presscuttings,1932-1951. There are also collections relating to each College Principal, 1882-1982, and to the "pre-history" of the College, 1880-1881.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English.
System of arrangement:
As indicated in Scope and Content above
Conditions governing access:
Users are asked to book an appointment in advance of their visit. For more information about the Archives see the website www.library.qmul.ac.uk/archive or contact the College Archivist to book an appointment: College Archivist, Main Library QMUL, Archives, Mile End Rd, London E1 4NS, telephone: 020 7882 7556, email: archives@qmul.ac.uk
Conditions governing reproduction:
Photocopying at the discretion of the Archivist.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
Uncatalogued
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
The archives were gathered together, arranged, boxed and labelled by Janet Sondheimer while she was researching the history for the centenary of the College.
Accruals:
No further accruals are expected.
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Transferred to Queen Mary College in 1989.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Archives of Queen Mary, University of London/Queen Mary and Westfield Archives, 1989-2000; Westfield College Association archives, 1900-1991.
Publication note:
J. Sondheimer Castle Adamant in Hampstead: A history of Westfield College, 1882-1982 (Westfield College, 1983). Women at Queen Mary Online: A Virtual Exhibition www.women.qmul.ac.uk
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Compiled by Janet Foster as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.
Date(s) of descriptions: January, 2001