Anderson College of Medicine, Glasgow (medical college : 1913-1947 : Glasgow, Scotland)

John Anderson , MA, FRS, the founder of Anderson's University, Glasgow, Scotland, was born at Roseneath, Argyll & Bute, Scotland, in 1726 , the eldest son of James Anderson, minister of Roseneath parish. He studied at the University of Glasgow, and was appointed Professor of Oriental Languages in 1756 , and Professor of Natural Philosophy in 1760 .

During his tenure of the latter Chair, he saw that an acquaintance with the principles of Natural Philosophy would be invaluable to mechanics. This led him to establish, in addition to his usual class, one of a more popular character, for those whose pursuits did not allow them to follow the routine of academic study. These lectures were illustrated by numerous experiments, and were such as could be understood by those who had not the advantage of a mathematical education. He continued to hold this class every Tuesday and Thursday during the session to the close of his life. About this time he commenced making a private collection of scientific apparatus and Natural History specimens, which formed the nucleus of the Andersonian Museum now dispersed.

John Anderson died on 13 January 1796 . In his will, dated 7 May 1795, he bequeathed the whole of his property, with a few trifling exceptions, "to the public, for the good of mankind, and the improvement of science, in an institution to be denominated Anderson's University, and to be managed by eighty-one Trustees". The trustees, the first of whom are named in the deed, were of nine classes - namely, tradesmen, agriculturists, artists, manufacturers or merchants, mediciners, lawyers, divines, natural philosophers, and kinsmen.

According to the design of the founder, there were to be four Faculties, viz: Arts, Medicine, Law, and Theology, besides an Elementary School or Academy, and each Faculty was to consist of nine Professors. The Faculties of Law and Theology were always in abeyance. As the funds were quite inadequate to carry out the plan, the institution was first commenced with only a single course of lectures on Natural Philosophy and Chemistry by Dr Thomas Garnett . In 1798 a Professor of Mathematics and Geography was appointed. In 1799 , Dr Garnett having gone to London as the first professor of the Royal Institution, he was succeeded by the eminent Dr Birkbeck , who, in addition to the branches taught by his predecessor, gave free lectures on mechanics and other scientific subjects. This was the origin of the popular lectures in Anderson's University , and also of Mechanics' Institutions.

The Medical School dates back to the year 1800 , when Dr John Burns commenced lectures on anatomy and surgery, which were separated into distinct lectureships in 1828. In 1819 botany was added. In 1828 the Chairs of Midwifery, Materia Medica, and the Practice of Medicine were instituted; followed by medical jurisprudence (1831), Institutes of Medicine or Physiology (1849), ophthalmic medicine and surgery (1869) and hygiene and public health (1878). Aural surgery was added in 1879, physics, zoology, diseases of the throat and nose, and mental diseases in 1891 and diseases of the skin in 1914.

The Medical School long held a foremost position as an extra-mural school, and provided a medical education at a cost suited to the circumstances of many who would not otherwise have been able to prosecute the study of medicine. The roll of its students includes David Livingstone , Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson , and Sir William M'Gregor .

In 1877, the name of the institution was altered from Anderson's University to Anderson's College , and the Trustees were made a body corporate, and had their powers and duties remodelled and defined by Anderson's College (Glasgow) Act, 1877 (40 Vic., c.xii). This act was entitled An Act for incorporating the Trustees of the Educational Institution in Glasgow founded under the Will of Professor John Anderson; for altering the name of that Institution and the powers and duties of the Trustees and Managers thereof and for other purposes - 17 May, 1877.

In accordance with a scheme by the Commissioners under the Educational Endowments (Scotland) Act, 1884, which created The Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College (now the University of Strathclyde), the Medical School of Anderson's College became a separate and distinct institution, and was incorporated as Anderson's College Medical School. The college buildings were situated from 1889 in Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, within five minutes' walk of the Western Infirmary and University of Glasgow. In 1913 the name of the incorporated body was changed to The Anderson College of Medicine. In 1947, the college was absorbed into the University of Glasgow.

From the guide to the Records of the Anderson College of Medicine, Glasgow, Scotland, 1841-1950, (Glasgow University Archive Services)