What's in a name?

Discover the inspiring Royal Holloway and Bedford people behind our buildings

1926-01-01 00:00:00

Horton Building

Distinguished physicist, Professor Frank Horton, was head of Physics at Royal Holloway from 1914-1946, and gave his name to what was originally a laboratory.

1951-01-01 00:00:00

Williams Building

Now home to Media Arts, this started life as a laboratory, named after Professor Gwyn Williams, Head of Chemistry from 1946-1955.

1958-01-01 00:00:00

Powell Gates

The ornate wrought iron gates underneath Founder's Clock Tower entrance were the bequest of Miss Isobel Powell, Lecturer in History, specialising in Stuart Naval History, from 1922-1955.

1973-01-01 00:00:00

Tolansky Laboratory

Named after Professor Samuel Tolansky, Head of Physics from 1947, an internationally renowned researcher into the formation of diamonds. This specialism led him to receive samples of moon dust from NASA, brought back by Apollo 11 in 1969.

1974-01-01 00:00:00

Bourne Laboratory

Named after the then Head of Chemistry, Professor Edward Bourne, who helped to design the building. He was also Vice-Principal from 1967-69.

1984-01-01 00:00:00

Penrose Court

Student accommodation named after Dame Emily Penrose, the first appointed Principal at Bedford College (1894-1898) and the second at Royal Holloway (1898-1907). She was chiefly responsible for guiding both Colleges into the University of London in 1900.

1986-01-01 23:20:37

Wilson Laboratory

Professor William Wilson, a renowned expert in Quantum Theory and Mechanics was Head of Physics from 1921-1944.

1986-01-01 23:20:37

McCrea Building

Named after Professor William Hunter McCrea, who was made Head of Mathematics in 1945. The building is now home to Computer Science, History and Maths. Professor McCrea was also President of the Royal Astronomical Society during the 1960s.

1986-04-01 23:20:37

Reid Hall

Elizabeth Jesser Reid was the founder of Bedford College, the first college for women in the UK, which opened in 1849 and later merged with Royal Holloway College.

2004-01-01 23:20:37

Gowar and Wedderburn Halls

Student residences named after two former Principals: Professor Dorothy Wedderburn (1981-1990), who had also been Head of the Social and Economic Studies department and Principal, at Bedford College, and Professor Norman Gowar (1990-2000), a Professor of Mathematics who had formerly been Senior Lecturer at the Open University.

2008-01-01 21:46:39

Butler and Tuke Halls

Named after Dr Lionel Butler, the first male Principal of Royal Holloway College (1973-1981), who had previously become the first Professor of Medieval History at St. Andrew’s University, and Dame Margaret Tuke, who had been Principal of Bedford College from 1907-1929.

2012-09-01 21:46:39

Gold postbox

Installed in 2012 to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen MBE, a Royal Holloway Maths graduate and triple winner in the equestrian events of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

What's in a name?

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