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Celebrating 40 years of the University of Essex

In 1964 the future of the University of Essex lay in the hands of its first Vice-Chancellor, Dr Albert Sloman, a man with a vision to create a university which would 'provide an experience of living as well as an opportunity for learning.'

Dr Sloman, now Sir Albert, dreamt of a university with the library at its heart, social spaces in which students and staff could mingle together, and architecture which would not detract from the beauty of its surrounding landscape. Above all, he wanted a university which was daring, which could experiment 'unhampered by precedents and by established structures.'

In 1963, when Sir Albert outlined this vision for the new University of Essex in the BBC's Reith Lectures, 2004 seemed a long way off: 'Our first students will still be in positions of influence and responsibility in the first two decades of the 21st century. In those distant days, 40 or 50 years ahead, their grandchildren may be at the University of Essex. They will know nothing of the bustle and bewilderment of the 1960s, nor even of the hopes and ideals which those associated with the University's foundation cherished…We should like them to feel that in our attempt at creating a new community of learning we had a measure of success.'

The University is now a thriving community of over 9,000 full and part time students studying across the county, and staff totalling more than 1,800. Partnerships with regional colleges have seen the University spread its wings and Essex graduates are pursuing careers around the world as journalists, lawyers, politicians, actors and teachers.

Expansion has not come at the expense of the University's core principles; groundbreaking research and top quality teaching remain the backbone of this child of the 1960s.

Today's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivor Crewe, is the fourth person to hold the position of head of the University: 'With the t21st century well into its stride the 1960s do perhaps seem like an age ago to many. In 1964 I was a first year student at Oxford reading politics, philosophy and economics. At the time I was excited by two books in particular: Voters, Parties and Leaders by Jean Blondel, and An Introduction to Positive Economics by Richard Lipsey. Both authors were new professors at the new University of Essex, which already fascinated me as a result of Albert Sloman's Reith Lectures. I thought 'Essex must be a great university,' and I was right. To be here now, as Vice-Chancellor of a university celebrating its first 40 years, looking forward to the next 40, is a great privilege.'

'Sir Albert Sloman's ambition was to create a university that was international, interdisciplinary, and inclusive, breaking down barriers between nations, disciplines and social hierarchies. The University has succeeded in all three respects.

'We shall build on these strong foundations in the future while making sure that as our roots spread and deepen across the county and beyond we become the University for Essex as well as the University of Essex.'

Through the eyes of the staff, students and members of the local community who witnessed its foundation and growth, Wyvern this month relives the achievements and developments that have shaped the University and made it what it is today.

Once the location of the new University of Essex had been decided, work started on clearing the site

Some archive photographs copyright of Essex County Newspapers, the Evening Gazette, Fox Photos Ltd, J Allan Cash Ltd, Harold Bennett, Peter M Warren, and Prettygate Studios.