Key 22: The Professors' Houses 1884

 

The increasing inconvenience of the professors apartments in the Quadrangle, the growth in the numbers of professors, the Registrar's desire to live close to his work and the need to free up more space for administration and student services led the University to seek grants from the Government to build new professorial houses in the grounds.

Campus plan, 1897
Campus plan, 1897
[Source: University of Melbourne, Calendar 1897, following p. xvii]

In 1884 the recently demolished Registrar's house and one for Professor Nanson (Mathematics) were completed near Tin Alley. In 1887 six more were built, five on a north south axis along what is now Professors' Walk facing the South Lawn and a sixth near the Medical precinct, where the Barry building now stands, facing the Lake.

Professorial house, c1956
Professorial house, c1956.
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1443]

Only Professor Nanson's house, last occupied by Professor Hartung (Chemistry 1928 -1953) survives, much extended and remodelled, as the Staff Club, University House.

University House extensions, 1956
University House extensions, 1956.
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1614]