University of Adelaide emerges in 1874 from James Jefferis's Union College and Walter Hughes' gift of £20,000

Benefactor Walter Hughes' statue on North Terrace, Adelaide, in front of Adelaide University's original Mitchell Building from 1881.

The University of Adelaide had its origins in the Union College, an academy formed in 1872 for non-sectarian higher education and theological training.

Educationalist and minister James Jefferis, with his North Adelaide Young Men’s Society, inspired his fellow Congregationalists to join with Presbyterians and Baptists to set up the Union College. Classes began with Jefferis as tutor in mathematics and natural science.

When Presbyterian pastoralist and mine owner Walter Hughes offered £20,000 to the Union College, Jefferies helped persuade the college council (a decision made easier by Hughes’ death soon afterwards) that the money should go instead to establishing a university in Adelaide.

Hughes is called the “father of the university” because he prompted others to make similar donations.

Jefferis was a member of the University Association and the university council. Anglican archbishop Augustus Short was also an early promoter of the university concept and its first vice chancellor.

The Mitchell Building, the University of Adelaide’s first, was constructed and in use by 1881.

Teacher training in the city moved in 1927 to the Hartley Building in Kintore Avenue and became part of the SA College of Advanced Education in 1982. Since 1991, it has been part of the University of Adelaide.