Royal Agricultural College (Great Britain)

The Royal Agricultural College, the first such institution in the English speaking world, was founded in 1845 with the aim of introducing science into agriculture and educating the country's future farmers. Funds were raised by public subscription and the 4th Earl of Bathurst, the college's first president, leased a farm of 400 acres from his estate at Cirencester on which to build it. The college buildings were designed in Victorian Gothic style and the ancient farmhouse and 16th Century Tithe Barn were retained. Queen Victoria granted the College the Royal Charter and sovereigns have been Patrons ever since.

The early years were beset by financial difficulties, the first Principal was dismissed for incompetence and a number of Professors left due to the harsh regime imposed. On the outbreak of war, many staff and students enlisted and in 1915 the College closed for eight years. In 1923 it was officially re-opened by King George V and Queen Mary and among those who helped at the time was perhaps the greatest old student of all time, Viscount Bledisloe, who later became Governor-General of New Zealand.

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