The role of Philanthropy in the development of British universities during the Victorian Period (1851--1919)

Philanthropy played a major role in the development of British universities from the mid Victorian period into the early twentieth century. The industrial revolution gave rise to cities which created wealth and an expectation of new institutions for those cities. The urban centers with the greatest population, most prosperity, and greatest need for scientific advancements were the first to create institutions.; The convergence of the expansion of private funding of universities, the availability of resources to contribute, and the Victorian predisposition toward philanthropy contributed to the civic university movement. Not until the early twentieth century did support from the government become a major factor.; This study also provided an opportunity for the cross-cultural study of British and New Zealand universities. The prerequisites for the civic university movement repeated themselves in New Zealand's provincial university movement, including wealth, the rise of provincial cities, and charitable impulse. In addition, New Zealand had the British civic university model to emulate.; Beginning in the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century, universities are facing government reductions in funding, leading to the resurgence of university philanthropy. The rise, demise, and resurgence of university philanthropy is the theme of this study. First there is the prevailing model of university philanthropy through the middle to late Victorian Period, then a shift to support from the State in the late Victorian Period and finally in the modern era, there is once again a call for private support. A hybrid funding scheme has developed because of the limitations and shortcomings of both private and State funding sources.; University philanthropy should be developed as a field of research, including a global look at higher education philanthropy. Philanthropic trends can be a means of comparative analysis and such research can provide a systematic review of higher education philanthropy and its application as a vehicle for cross-cultural transmission and understanding. Such research will provide much needed sources of information for understanding university building, university funding, and philanthropic traditions in a constantly changing climate.