The former Victoria University of Manchester, now the University of Manchester, was founded in 1851 as Owens College. In 1880, the college joined the federal Victoria University, gaining an independent university charter in 1904 as the Victoria University of Manchester after the collapse of the federal university.

On 1 October 2004, the Victoria University of Manchester merged with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) to form a new, larger entity, and the new university was named the University of Manchester.

The university was founded in 1851 as Owens College, named after John Owens, a textile merchant, who left a bequest of 96,942 for the purpose. Its first accommodation was at Cobden House on Quay Street, Manchester, in a house which had been the residence of Richard Cobden. In 1859, Owens College was approved as a provincial examination centre for matriculation candidates of the University of London. As the college progressed it became inadequate so a move to Chorlton on Medlock was planned in 1871. Alfred Waterhouse was the architect of the new college building, west of Oxford Road, which was opened in 1873. Owens College became the first affiliate college of the federal Victoria University in 1880. In 1884, University College Liverpool also joined the Victoria University, followed in 1887 by the Yorkshire College in Leeds.

1. who was it originally named after?
2. who was he?
3. which school did it merge with?
4. did they have to change names after this?
5. what was the name before the merger?
6. How much did owens leave behind?
7. what was it approved as?
8. for?
9. from?
10. what was the school renamed?
11. when was it founded?
12. what was the first living quarters called?
13. where was it?
14. why was it called that?
15. where did they move to?
16. why?
17. which other school joined them?
18. when?
19. who designed the new school?
20. did any other school join?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. John Owens
2. a textile merchant,
3. University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST)
4. Yes
5. Victoria University of Manchester
6. 96,942
7. provincial examination centre
8. matriculation candidates
9. University of London
10. University of Manchester
11. 1851
12. Cobden House
13. Quay Street,
14. it had been the residence of Richard Cobden
15. Chorlton on Medlock
16. it became inadequate
17. University College Liverpool
18. 1884
19. Alfred Waterhouse
20. Yes