Opened as the Southern Branch of the Theological Institution in 1843, the college was built with some of the proceeds of the Centenary Fund. The architect was James Wilson of Bath. It was later sold to the WMMS and used from 1869 to 1885 to train missionaries for work overseas. Its first Theological Tutor (from 1843 to 1861) was Thomas Jackson and among his successors were J. Agar Beet (1885-1905), W.T. Davison (1905-15) and C. Ryder Smith (1920-32). W.F. Moulton and A. S. Geden made notable contributions to biblical studies. Other members of staff included W.T. Aquila Barber, George Osborn, F.B. Clogg, Leslie F. Church andEric S. Waterhouse. Its students included many future Presidents, such as W. Morley Punshon and Hugh Price Hughes. During World War I it housed Westminster Training College and in World War II became the administrative headquarters of the University of London, with which it had developed important links through theological education. The college was a victim of the 1960 cuts and closed in 1972, its last Principal being A. Raymond George. It was sold in 1976 and is now the London campus of the American Institute for Foreign Study.

Entry written by: TSAM
Category: School/College
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