Heriot-Watt – Our Heritage Brochure

Pioneering Education with Global Impact since 1821 自1821年以来的全球影响力先驱教育 Pioneering Education with Global Impact since 1821 自1821年以来的全球影响力先驱教育 Pioneering the Future From the UK’s first Mechanics Institute The Heriot-Watt for working people to a truly global community is driving a spirit of ambition to be university. Five campuses worldwide at the forefront of new ideas and solutions to educating tomorrow’s professionals create radical innovations that make a difference and generating pioneering research in the real world. making a difference in the real world. Professor Richard A Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Heriot-Watt University WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY ORIGINS OF OUR NAME Today Heriot-Watt is a global university with strong In 1852 the Edinburgh School of Arts changed its links across Europe and the rest of the world. Since name to become the Watt Institution and School of Arts, our foundation as the Edinburgh School of Arts in in honour of the great Scottish inventor, mechanical 1821, we are proud to have been outward looking engineer and chemist, James Watt, who invented the pioneers of education, in pursuit of knowledge for steam engine and was widely acknowledged as the the benefit of society and the world. father of the industrial revolution. George Heriot was a 17th century philanthropist and financier to Our campuses across the globe and international King James IV. In 1885 the School was renamed community provide a unique learning experience. Heriot-Watt College and in 1966 Heriot-Watt Specialist, creative and expert, our graduates set University was established by Royal Charter. the global standard and are sought by the best employers worldwide. From Actuarial Science to Both Heriot and Watt were two Photonics our thought-leadership and innovation successful, pioneering professionals provides a unique advantage to our students and of their time, whose skills and delivers real results for our partners. attitudes are still reflected in the ethos of the University today. World-class research with over 30,000 students worldwide /01 The Story of Heriot-Watt Since our foundation in 1821, we have been outward looking pioneers of education, in pursuit of knowledge to 1821 1837 1851 1852 1854 1869 1872 Edinburgh School of Arts, the world’s first Edinburgh School of Arts, moves to Watt Subscription Fund donates funding Edinburgh School of Arts becomes Watt Formation of the Watt Club – The UK’s Pioneering campaigner Mary Burton led Watt Institution and School of Arts the benefit of society and the world. mechanics’ institute, founded by Leonard new larger leased premises in Adam to School as Edinburgh’s monument to Institution and School of Arts. oldest higher education institution a successful campaign to admit women. obtained a new site in Chambers Street Horner and Robert Bryson in Niddry Street. Square Edinburgh. James Watt. alumni association. and the foundation stone was laid. 1874 1885 1902 1934 1949 1966 1969 1971 1989 Mary Burton becomes the first woman on George Heriot’s Trust’s investments The College becomes a Central Institution, Heriot-Watt became the home of acclaimed Graduate Christina Miller becomes first The Royal Charter, gives Heriot-Watt Midlothian Council bought a 248 acre Heriot-Watt’s links with industry enters a Orkney Campus opens in Stromness as the School’s Board of Directors and a Life support the Watt Institution and School of teaching to degree standard with the novelist Dame Muriel Spark. woman elected as fellow of Royal Society its University status, granted by Queen parkland estate at Riccarton and gifted new era as it establishes the first University a multidisciplinary research, consultancy Governor of Heriot-Watt College. Arts and so created Heriot-Watt College. Associates of Heriot-Watt College award. of Edinburgh. Elizabeth II. it to the University. Research Park in Europe. and postgraduate teaching facility. 1990 1992 1998 2005 2014 2015 2016 2016 2021 Edinburgh Business School launches Heriot-Watt University is relocated Merger with Scottish College of Textiles The Dubai Campus was founded. The Heriot-Watt University opens its fifth Heriot-Watt awarded the prestigious University celebrates 50 years since ORIAM Scotland’s Sports Performance University celebrates its 200th anniversary. first online MBA. to Edinburgh campus at Riccarton. to create Scottish Borders Campus. University was the first to set up in the Campus in Putrajaya, Malaysia, only Queen’s Anniversary Prize in Further Heriot-Watt was awarded a Royal Charter. Centre opens at Edinburgh Campus. new Dubai International Academic City. 25 km from Kuala Lumpur. and Higher Education. HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY / OUR HERITAGE Pioneering leaders and solutions since 1821 02/03 Enlightened Thinking 1 It all began with a conversation... a conversation that created a university that dates back to 1821 and is named after two Scottish pioneers: James Watt, the great 18th century inventor and engineer, recognised as the father of the industrial revolution and George Heriot, the 17th century goldsmith and philanthropist and financier to King James. 2 PIONEERING EDUCATION LEADING A REVOLUTION In 1821 Edinburgh1 was the beating heart of the IN EDUCATION Scottish Enlightenment headlined by radical thinkers In October 1821 the School held its first lecture like Adam Smith and David Hume. Its ideals steeped St Celia’s Concert Hall in Niddry Street, Edinburgh. in education as a means to moral and material The subject: chemistry. Over 300 people packed self-improvement and tackling the challenges the venue. Several hundred were turned away. of the industrial revolution. Within a month over 450 students had enrolled. Thirty years later over 700 Mechanics Institutes 2 Leonard Horner , a linen merchant and social reformer had been established across Britain. Emigrants 3 met his friend Robert Bryson , one of Scotland’s finest took the movement as far as Australia and America. clock makers, in his shop on Edinburgh’s South Bridge. Bryson complained that his apprentices needed a Education becomes a right not a privilege. 3 mathematical education. But the only classes available were too expensive and held while they were at work. Horner came up with the idea to provide evening classes at fees that working men could afford. With financial backing from influential Edinburgh citizens; author, Sir Walter Scott, judge and For the instruction conservationist Lord Cockburn, and the Craig family of Riccarton, the Edinburgh School of mechanics in such of Arts first Mechanics Institute was born4. branches of physical A revolution in education has begun. science as are of practical application in their 4 several trades. The School’s ethos HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY / OUR HERITAGE Pioneering leaders and solutions since 1821 04/05 The great Scottish engineer, James Watt, hailed as the father of the industrial revolution, had long been an inspiration to both The Watt students and staff. Connection 1 2 THE EARLY DAYS The great Scottish engineer, James Watt2, hailed In the beginning the School taught only chemistry, as the father of the industrial revolution, had long Profile: mechanics or natural philosophy, architecture and been an inspiration to both students and staff. James Watt farriery. Two of the most able students gave informal Now a fund established in his memory was to come lessons in mathematics. Working men travelled to the School’s financial rescue. An appeal launched James Watt (1736–1819) was the father from far and wide eager for knowledge and self- by Henry Cockburn, to commemorate the great of the industrial revolution. His crucial role improvement. One student walked 10 miles to attend inventor, saw the building of a handsome new property was to transform the world from one based evening classes at the end of a hard day’s work. for the Edinburgh School of Arts, which it was able on agriculture to one based on engineering This revolution in education was creating a bridge to buy outright through the generosity of the Watt and technology, recognised in the unit of between the cultural classes with plumbers, printers Subscription Fund in 1851. To acknowledge this, power: the watt. and smiths attending lectures alongside students the School changed its name in 1852 to the Watt Born in Greenock, Scotland, he went on to from wealthier backgrounds including the son Institution and School of Arts. of eminent artist Alexander Nasmyth, son of the become an inventor, engineer and scientist. inventor of the steam hammer, James Nasmyth. THE FIRST PEOPLE’S COLLEGE In 1769 he patented radical improvement The change in name reflected the evolution of to increase the efficiency of the Newcomen To survive the economic depression of the period, the Watt Institution. Teachers, architects, artists and steam engine by adding a separate condenser the School halved its fees and expanded its syllabus dentists were now studying alongside mechanics and valves. A move that kick-started the introducing taught classes in mathematics, English, and artisans. Widely respected as the first true the industrial revolution. French, drawing and ornamental modelling. By 1837 People’s College, it was entirely a male preserve. it had outgrown its first home and leased a larger property in Edinburgh’s Adam Square1. Despite its Another revolution was in the air. success the School relied on donations from wealthy subscribers. This income had dwindled over the years and it now found itself in financial trouble. HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY / OUR HERITAGE Pioneering leaders and solutions since

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