Literary launch brings Imperial's history to life

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College celebrates the publication of <em>The History of Imperial College London 1907-2007</em> - <em>News</em>

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Wednesday 2 May
By Naomi Weston

Imperial's Centenary celebrations took a literary turn last night with the official launch of The History of Imperial College London 1907-2007, written by Senior Research Investigator Dr Hannah Gay.

The launch drew together a range of familiar faces from Imperial's past and present, including former Rectors Lord Oxburgh, Lord Flowers and Sir Eric Ash, all contributors to the book. Congratulating Dr Gay, current Rector Sir Richard Sykes said:

Dr Hannah Gay presents the result of five years hard work"Hannah has been very successful in not only providing us with a 'grand narrative' but also unearthing some fascinating nuggets about life at Imperial over the years. This book is such an achievement because it tells us not only about Imperial College as an institution, but also about the many different people who have shaped it through their work, study and play."

These people have included 14 Nobel Laureates and former students such as Brian May of Queen, writer HG Wells and former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

In addition to the better known figures, the book also covers all aspects of Imperial's development and influence, from its early growth, through its contribution to two world wars to its more recent expansion embracing medicine and interdisciplinary centres.

Prior to the launch, Dr Gay discussed how she went about producing the book:

The History of Imperial College London 1907-2007 is quite an achievement, how long did it take you to write it?

I was appointed in 2001 and it took me five years to complete. I worked mainly in the College archives but also conducted about 40 interviews, including with former rectors, Ron Oxburgh, Eric Ash and Brian Flowers. In addition I interviewed some people recently retired from the College and one or two people from each department in order to get a better grasp of the recent history of the College.

The Rectors return - current Rector Sir Richard Sykes (left) joins (left to right) Lord Oxburgh, Sir Eric Ash and Lord FlowersWhat was the biggest challenge you faced?

I had a very large number of notes and one of the hardest things was to reduce all the information. It was also quite a challenge finding good quality and suitable illustrations for the book.

As an Imperial graduate yourself, how has the College changed from when you were a student?

I graduated in 1964 and there were then about 4,000 students at the College, so it is much bigger now! In the 1960s the College Union was the centre of much student activity. It was more like a club where everyone congregated. More of the staff were associated with the Union, as were many ex-students. Further, rents in the neighbourhood were much lower than today, students and staff were able to live closer to the College and their social lives were more College focussed. However there were fewer student residences, so I imagine students today form friendships within the residences as well as in departments. Of course much else has changed including on the academic side of the College.

Between 1907 and 2007, which years do you think were the most significant for the College?

It is extremely hard to pinpoint particular years or notable events. Each academic department has had its ups and downs and much depends on the larger fortunes of the various disciplines. For example the 1950s and 60s were a great period for the Chemistry Department with 2 Nobel prize winners, Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson and Sir Derek Barton both working at the College at that time. The 1980s were less good for chemistry more generally, not just at Imperial. But now both the discipline and the department are flourishing again. If I had to pinpoint a particular decade of major change I would point to the 1970s. Various political and economic factors in that decade led to major changes in the university system and to the modernisation of Imperial College.

And for the future…what do you think of the College's withdrawal from the University of London?

I am in full support of the withdrawal, I make reference to the College’s problems with the University of London throughout the book. There has been some tension between the two institutions ever since Imperial joined the University in 1929 – though, of course, there were some advantages also. It is possible that other large colleges will follow our lead in which case the principal role of the University of London may well be as an examining body for smaller colleges unable to gain independent status. This is how the University started in the nineteenth century. The College is now large enough and successful enough to flourish on its own.

The History of Imperial College London 1907-2007 by Dr Hannah Gay is available to purchase at the Union Shop on Imperial's South Kensington Campus on online through the publisher at www.icpress.co.uk/histsci/p478.html

Watch interviews from the launch party in RealPlayer

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