Beyer and the Owens Extension College Movement Charles Beyer

university of manchester formerly, owens college (1871–1904)

the new college building opened in 1873. move oxford road allowed manchester royal school of medicine , surgery move site in 1874; amalgamating owens college raised profile in quest become independent university. however, college encountered financial crisis in 1876. many benefactors had died , income had fallen dramatically. when beyer died in 1876, (written in 1872) bequeathed £114,000 (equivalent £10 million in 2013) college , secured future. beyer had been largest single donor when alive , largest single benefactor in history of university of manchester. funds appropriated build beyer building in 1888, , fund professorships in engineering , mathematics. college destined become victoria university of manchester, university strong german heritage, connections heidelberg , following methods of teaching through experiment. become 1 of world s leading science research universities.

today s university of manchester formed amalgamation of victoria university of manchester , university of manchester institute of science , technology (umist) in 2004. umist s history dated 1824 when john dalton (father of atomic theory) , others formed manchester mechanics institute. beyer had been member since 1847 , life member 1850; while focused on owens college, had therefore been supporter of both institutions.

beyer , owens college department of engineering

beyer s first contact owens college in 1860 when introduction professor greenwood. in parallel campaign turn owens college university, beyer keen establish suitable engineering school such in germany; had attended such institution, , knew there no similar facility train new engineers in britain. moreover, wanted establish engineering department within college rather separate entity outside university, in germany.

when chair advertised @ salary of £250 per annum selection committee unsatisfied quality of applicants. recorded beyer decided double salary: mr beyer…. generously offered supplement salary sum of £250 5yrs…. when post re-advertised, able appoint professor osborne reynolds (not confused professor john henry reynolds of manchester technical school) on 26 march 1868. first professor of engineering in north of england, reynolds did engage local engineering firms in applied science mutual benefit, giving college worldwide reputation before retiring in 1905.

charles beyer donor sir henry roscoe s chemistry department.