Department of Electrical Engineering

Reference
- GB 248 GUA EE
Dates of Creation
- 1921-1990s
Name of Creator
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Glasgow
Language of Material
- English.
Physical Description
- 1.4 metres

Scope and Content

Minutes 1985-1989
Correspondence 1980-1983
Student records 1921-1990
Student final year records 1975-1979
Staff records 1969-1989
Research project records 1989
Equipment order books 1922-1948
Departmental handouts 1990s
Videos n.d.

Administrative / Biographical History

Engineering had been taught at the University of Glasgow in an informal way long before there was a Chair or department of Engineering. The mathematician George Sinclair , between periods as Regent had worked as an engineer and surveyor. Most notably, James Watt , inventor and instrument maker, had a shop at the University, where students and professors with an interest in science met.

Queen Victoria established the Regius Chair of Civil Engineering and Mechanics in 1840 , the first professor being Lewis D. B. Gordon ( 1840-1855 ). It was the first engineering Chair in Britain, and many distinguished engineers have held the post, most notably Professor W J M Rankine ( 1855-1872 ), James Thomson ( 1873-1889 ) elder brother of Lord Kelvin , Archibald Barr ( 1889-1913 ), and John D Cormack ( 1913-1935 ). A full list of the University's professors from 1451 to 2001 can be found at http://www.archives.gla.ac.uk/about/publish/elecpubs.html .

The subject of engineering was at first included as part of the Arts Faculty, but was not recognised as a subject qualifying for graduation in Arts. In 1862 the award of a Certificate of Proficiency in Engineering Science was instituted, with the first certificate being awarded in May 1863 . In 1872 the B.Sc. degree in Engineering was established, thanks in large part to the work of Professor Rankine. In 1893 the Chair of Civil Engineering and Mechanics became part of the new Science Faculty. During the 1890 s the curriculum was modified to provide for the special interests of Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers and Naval Architects.

A lectureship in Electrical Engineering was established in 1898 , with John Dewar Cormack appointed as lecturer, a position he held until 1901 . In 1901 the James Watt Laboratories were opened, opposite Pearce Lodge and facing Kelvingrove Park. In 1921 the James Watt Chair of Electrical Engineering was founded by the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland to commemorate the death of James Watt. George William Osborn Howe ( 1921-1946 ) was the first to be appointed to the Chair.

In 1923 , the new Faculty of Engineering was formed, with a new curriculum, which made the degree an Honours Degree. The Faculty would grow to have five major departments, Civil, Electronics and Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. In 1965 a second Chair of Electrical Engineering was founded with the appointment of John Kenneth Lubbock ( 1967-1969 ). In 1970 the Department of Electrical Engineering became the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering. Also in 1970 the Rankine building was opened in Oakfield Avenue to house the Departments of Civil Engineering, and Electronics and Electrical Engineering.