Significant Dates
1796
Death of John Anderson
Anderson's Institution founded
1823
Glasgow Mechanics' Institution formed
1828
Anderson's Institution assumes the title Anderson's University
1845
Glasgow Educational Association instituted
1847
The Glasgow Athenaeum adopted as new title for the above, dedicated
chiefly to commercial education and the arts.
1853
Allan Glen's Trust established
1861
Atkinson Institution established
1877
Anderson's Institution changed by Act of Parliament to Anderson's
College
1881
Glasgow Mechanic's Institution becomes the College of Science and
Arts
1887
The Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College formed from the
amalgamation of Anderson's College, the College of Science and Arts, the
Allan Glen's Institution and the Atkinson Institution.
1888
Glasgow Athenaeum reorganised:
Athenaeum Commercial College.
1912
Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College becomes the Royal
Technical College. Administration of Allan Glen's Institution passes to local
authority.
1913
Affiliation of the Royal Technical College to the University of Glasgow
1915
The Glasgow and West of Scotland Commercial College formed from the
former Athenaeum Commercial College.
1919
Royal Technical College recognised as a University College and funded by
the University Grants Committee.
1955
Glasgow and West of Scotland Commercial College becomes the Scottish
College of Commerce
1956
Royal Technical College becomes the Royal College of Science and
Technology
commercial
element
becomes
1964
Amalgamation of the Royal College and the Scottish College.
The Royal College of Science and Technology elevated by Royal Charter to
become the UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE.
1993
Jordanhill College of Education merges with the University of Strathclyde,
and becomes its Faculty of Education.
Armorial Bearings
The following Ensigns Armorial were granted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms and
matriculated on 7 December 1964: Per pale, Gules and Azure, a saltire Argent
cantoned between an antique crown in chief Or and three cinquefoils Ermine in the
flanks and base; on a chief Or a wave-packet Sable between two open books
proper, fore-edges and binding of the First.
The University of Strathclyde is the incorporation of two Colleges, the Royal College
of Science and Technology and the Scottish College of Commerce, and the coat of
arms granted to the University appropriately retains elements from the coat of arms
of each of these Colleges: from the Royal College, the saltire and crown; from the
Scottish College, the two open books.
In addition to the two books in chief there is a symbol new to heraldry, the wavepacket, indicating that Strathclyde is a technological university. The background of
the shield is divided—the cinquefoils on red being the arms of the ancient Scottish
kingdom of Strathclyde, and the saltire on blue being the national emblem which
appeared in the Royal College arms.
The crown in the Royal College arms was an Edwardian crown, but this has been
replaced by an antique crown appropriate to the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde.
The original Edwardian crown signified the grant by His Majesty King George V of
the prefix 'Royal' in 1912.
In 1993 Jordanhill College of Education merged with the University and became its
Faculty of Education. The Ensigns Armorial were permitted to be displayed on a
shield of pentagonal shape. The pentagon symbolised the five Faculties of the
enlarged University. To mark the bicentenary of the death of John Anderson and the
birth of the institution, the University petitioned for armorial supports. In January
1996, the Lord Lyon King of Arms granted the following bearings: Above the shield
is placed a sallet Proper lined Gules with a Mountling Gules doubled Argent, and on
a Wreath of Liveries is set for Crest a terrestrial Sphere Azure, the lines of longitude
and latitude Or, ensigned of a three masted sailing ship Proper and in an Escrol over
same this Motto Useful Learning and on a Compartment below the Shield are set
supporters two falcons Proper each gorged of an Antique crown Or.
Mace
The University mace was presented by the University of Glasgow. The presentation
was made by the Principal of Glasgow University, Sir Charles Wilson, at the
installation of the University's first Chancellor in April 1965.
The design recalls in its chief features the ancient crown of the University arms. The
silver shaft becomes triangular in form as it rises to the points of the crown. The
crown surmounts a gilt sphere on which are engraved the arms of the University of
Glasgow and of the two Colleges which constitute the University of Strathclyde,
namely the Royal College of Science and Technology and the Scottish College of
Commerce. Within the centre of the crown the arms of the University of Strathclyde
are reproduced in coloured enamel. Engraved on the ferrule of the staff is a
cinquefoil, the heraldic emblem of the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde. The mace,
which is approximately 125 cm in length, is the work of the Scottish designer, Mr
Atholl Hill, who studied at the Glasgow School of Art.