"university of liverpool" blog posts

The Bust of Principal RendallBust of Principal Gerald Rendall in Gallery 3

The Bust of Principal Rendall

To celebrate International Sculpture Day we find out more about the bust of Principal Gerald Rendall that was unveiled 126 years ago on 20 February 1897.

Posted on: 29 April 2023

Jane Herdman: Science and Sewing

Jane Herdman: Science and Sewing

Deep within the University’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences building hangs a portrait of a lady serenely sewing. She is Jane Herdman and the building is named after her. Jane’s story is a mix of love, tragedy, science and, above all, the encouragement of learning.

Posted on: 8 March 2023

The Leaning Tower of Liverpool

The Leaning Tower of Liverpool

Our iconic clock tower is part of the university’s flagship building and helps our visitors to locate us. We can be heard across campus every 15 minutes as our bells chime and mark the passing of time and in this blog we find out more about the clock, tower and bells on the 130th anniversary of the Jubilee Clock Tower’s opening ceremony.

Posted on: 15 November 2022

ConGRADulations–Graduations at The University of LiverpoolVG&M Graduation Artwork by Michael White

ConGRADulations–Graduations at The University of Liverpool

It’s July which can mean only one thing – Graduation! In this blog we take a closer look at some of the Graduation ceremonies over the past 130 years.

Posted on: 18 July 2022

Jubilee JubilationsJubilee Artwork by Michael White

Jubilee Jubilations

To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, this blog looks at the various jubilee celebrations held at the university over the past 130 years.

Posted on: 3 June 2022

The Wartime WatchIllustration by Michael White showing parachute Bomb and the Victoria Building, 2022

The Wartime Watch

Our clock tower played an important role during World War Two and this blog takes a closer look at what happened 81 years ago, in March 1941.

Posted on: 18 March 2022

The Students and the SphinxThe Sphinx Magazine 1926 and an illustration of a student outside the Victoria Building, University of Liverpool Special Collections & Archives.

The Students and the Sphinx

In our previous VG&M building history blogs, we have looked at the construction and opening of the Victoria Building so now we delve into the Sphinx Magazine to find out what the students really thought of their brand-new building.

Posted on: 21 January 2022

Mitzi Cunliffe - Behind the MaskMitzi Cunliffe, designer of the BAFTA trophy (©Estate of the Artist) and the sculpture Loosestrife

Mitzi Cunliffe - Behind the Mask

Every year some of the most famous faces on the planet are photographed hugging a stylised golden mask. It is a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) trophy. Let’s go behind the mask to discover its brilliant designer, Mitzi Cunliffe, who also created the spikiest artwork in our collection …

Posted on: 25 March 2021

Metropolitan Cathedral Precinct, 1952 by Allan P. Tankard (1897 – 1964)A view looking west from the Victoria building roof

Metropolitan Cathedral Precinct, 1952 by Allan P. Tankard (1897 – 1964)

Amanda Draper, Curator of Art & Exhibitions writes... We’ve been surprised by the popularity of a small display of local watercolours in our tiny Gallery 4. All the paintings are by Allan P. Tankard and show the University of Liverpool campus in the post-war years. This evocative glimpse into the relatively recent past of our neighbourhood has really resonated with visitors. From the exhibition I’ve chosen to show you this vista of a big empty space where the Metropolitan Cathedral now stands.

Posted on: 15 May 2020