John
Owens,
the successful Manchester cotton merchant,
held strong views on the relationship between education and religion.
A Nonconformists, Owens objected
to the dominate role that the Church of England
played in education. Owens, who never
married, decided that he would leave most of his wealth to help establish
a further education college for men that would not have: "to
submit to any test whatsoever of, their religious opinions".
John Owens died at his house in Chorlton-upon-Medlock on 29th July,
1846. In his will he left £96,654 for the establishment of the
college. His Unitarian friends, John
Fielden and Thomas Ashton, also raised
money for the venture and arranged to purchase the former home of
Richard Cobden, in Quay Street, Deansgate.
This became the first premises of Owens College when it was opened
in 1851.
The Nonconformist business community
in Manchester continued to raise money
for this venture and supported by Charles Prestwich
Scott, the editor of the Manchester
Guardian, the trustees were able to arrange the building of
new premises at Oxford Street. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the
new Owens College was opened in 1873. Seven years later, the college,
along with those in Liverpool and Leeds,
became Victoria University. In 1902 Liverpool, Leeds and Machester
obtained charters as independent universities.
Owens College in Oxford Street, Manchester
(1)
Instructions left by
John Owens for the establishment of Owens College
(signed 31st May, 1845)
The
bequest is for the foundation of an institution within the parliamentary
borough of Manchester, or within two miles of any part of the limits
thereof, for providing or aiding the means of instructing and improving
young persons of the male sex (and being of an age not less than fourteen
years) in such branches of learning and science as are now and may
be hereafter usually taught in the English universities, but subject,
nevertheless, to the fundamental and immutable rule and condition
that the students, professors, teachers, and other officers and persons
connected with the said institutions shall not be required to make
any declaration as to, or submit to any test whatsoever of, their
religious opinions: and that nothing shall be introduced in the matter
or mode of education or instruction in reference to any religious
or theological subject which shall be reasonably offensive to the
conscience of any student or of his relations, guardians, or friends
under whose immediate care he shall be. The institution shall be open
to all applicants for admission without respect to place of birth,
and without distinction of rank or condition in society.
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