timeline of college events
1881
1881
Revd. S. S. Allnutt is the founder and first Principal of College. Initially, College had three teachers and five students. Apart from the Revds. Allnutt and Lefroy, the first five students are Sansar Chand, Har Gopal, Saiad Mirza, Kripa Narain and Ram Lal. In 1881, the subjects taught in College were: Logic and Literature- Revd. Allnutt, Psychology and History – Revd. Lefroy. Mathematics Revd. Carlyon. Later, Persian was taught by Maulvi Shah Jehan.
1882
1882
The College established as one of the original Colleges of the Punjab University which received its charter in 1882.
1883
1883
Pandit Binari Prasad Dube is engaged to teach Sanskrit.
1884
1884
College, for the first time, introduces candidates to the Bachelor of Arts degree, and Makkhan Lall is the first graduate.
1887
1887
The first librarian and clerk of the College is Shri B. Kishan Das who ioins College in 1887.
1890
1890
Foundation stone of the Kashmere Gate buildings laid by Sir Charles Elliot.
1891
1891
Kashmere Gate buildings designed by Sir Swinton Jacob (chief engineer of the Jaipur State) completed and subsequently inaugrated on 8 Dec. by Sir James Lyall.
1896
1896
The inscriptions “I am the light of the world: he who followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life” and “Satyameve Jayate Nanritam go up on the College Hall walls. “TrutD without Fear was the previous motto; later, the device “Ad Dei Gloriam” (Latin for To the Glory of God) is adopted.
1898
1898
Abhinash Chander Ghose (lecturer in Philosophy) becomes the first old student to join the staff in May 1898.
1899
1899
Retirement of Rev. S.S.Allnutt from Principalship. Under him the number of students had grown from five to ninety-nine. The study of Sanskrit revived and M.A.classes in English and Sanskrit opened.
1899-1902
1899-1902
Principalship of Rev J.W.T.Wright. He developed the social side of College activity, especially games, and acquired the playing fields for the College, laid the foundation of the close fellowship of Indian and English members of the Staff and appointed S.K.Rudra as Vice-Principal. Revd. J.W.T. Wright is nicknamed “Downright”.
1902
1902
Wright Memorial Block added to the Main Hostel.
1902-1906
1902-1906
Principalship of the Rev G.Hibbert-Ware; period of quiet growth. Number of students in 1906 about 120.
1904
1904
Revd. Charles Freer Andrews (C. F. Andrews) ioins the college staff in 1904: teaches English from 1904 to 1914. Andrews wrote and dedicated North India (1908) and Sadhu Sunder Singh (1934) to Principal Rudra.
1905
1905
Purchase of Maitland House as a Residence for members of the staff.
1906-1923
1906-1923
Principalship of S.K.Rudra – marked by a great expansion of the College and its growth in reputation; by a large increase in the number of staff, the origin and development of the tutorial system, and close association of the staff with the students; and by the transformation of St. Stephen’s into a largely residential College.
1907
1907
Foundation stone of Science building laid by the Deputy Commissioner of Delhi on 16th uly, and college magazine THE STEPHANIAN’ founded by C. F. Andrews.
1908
1908
Westcott Memorial Block added to the Main Hostel. Mr. C.H.C. Sharp ioins the staff as a lecturer in English- the first person from Dxford Mniversity to come to college.
1909
1909
First branch hostel opened near Kashmere Gate under the superintendence of Mr.Sharp. The Criterion Club is formed.
1910
1910
Management of the Branch Hostel taken over by the Baptist Mission under the superintendence of Mr.Young.
1912
1912
Games organised under a constitution, placing the management mainly in the hands of the students themselves. F.F.Monk is the first President of Games. Baptist Mission Hostel transferred to Civil Lines. Second Branch Hostel opened in Civil Lines (Commissioner’s lane) under the Superintendence of Mr.Monk.
1913
1913
Third Branch Hostel opened near Kashmere Gate under the superintendence of Mr.KhubRam. New Constitution granted to College by the Cambridge and S.P.G. Committees, conferring on it a large degree of local autonomy. Simultaneous agreement with Government to limit numbers and develop intensive education.
1914
1914
Rev. C. F. Andrews leave the college for Shantiniketan.
1916
1916
Social Service league created, and Pt. Raghubir Dayal and Pandit Lachmi Dhar, old students., join the staff.
1917
1917
(7th Dec.) Death of Canon Allnutt.
1917-22
1917-22
Social Service growing; night schools and hospital visits undertaken.
1918-20
1918-20
Miss E. Elton is the first woman to be appointed to the staff. She taught English from 1918 to 1920.
1920
1920
Commissioner’s Lane Hostel closes, and the college constitution is revived.
1921
1921
Reading Room Committee formed – mainly students.
1922
1922
Allnutt Hostel opened. The Stephanian allots a special section for women contributors. Formation of Delhi University with St. Stephen’s as one of its original constituent colleges.
1902-22
1902-22
M.A. classes added in Philosophy, History, Arabic, Economics and Persian – also M.O.L.(Master of Languages) in Arabic since 1913.
1922
1922
Formation of Delhi University with St. Stephen’s as one of its original constituent Colleges (other two being Hindu and Ramjas.
1923
1923
Retirement of Principal Rudra after 36 years of service. Appointment of Mr. Francis Frank Monk as Principal. He was the first President of the Committee of Games. He, along witá Revd. Fitch, tried to start rugby but it never caught on. He is the only Principal, so far. to have held office for the second term; when Principal Mukarii left for Oxford, Monk was Principal once again.
1925
1925
Death of Principal Rudra.
1926
1926
Resignation of Principalship by Mr.Monk and appointment of Mr.S.N.Mukarji as the sixth Principal. Institution of Rudra Dinner to be held each year on Feb. 12th.
1926-45
1926-45
Principalship of S.N.Mukarji ; great expansion of College and its growth in reputation. Greater interaction between staff and students.
1928-29
1928-29
Women admitted into College for the first time to post graduate courses.
1929
1929
Lord Irwin becomes the first and only Viceroy to preside over the Dismissal Service.
1930
1930
Mr.S.N.Mukarji appointed as one of the two Indian members on the Lindsay Commission to look into higher education in Christian Educational Institutions in India.
1931
1931
College celebrates Golden Jubilee.
1936
1936
Title of Rai Bahadur conferred by the Government on Principal S.N.Mukarji.
1938
1938
Karuna Moi Sarkar (lecturer in English and History) affectionately called ‘Ericde’, dies.
1939
1939
Monday 27th, March the foundation stone of our present buildings (University Campus) laid by Rev C.F.Andrews. Sir Walter George is appointed as the architect.
1940
1940
(5th April) Rev C.F.Andrews dies in Calcutta and is buried in the Lower Circular Road Cemetery.
1941
1941
College shifts to the University Campus.
1943
1943
Women admitted into the undergraduate courses for the first time.
1945
1945
(3rd April) Principal S.N.Mukarji dies and Mr.David Raja Ram becomes the first Old Stephanian to become the (7th) Principal of College (1945-60).
1948
1948
Mukarji Memorial Debate begins.
1949
1949
Sports Dinner started by Mr. S. K. Bose, and Miranda House is set up. College goes all-boys, and Mountaineering Club started. The Photographic Society is also founded this year.
1952
1952
Chapel is constructed and Bishop Wilkinson of Lahore is the chief guest for the opening ceremony.
1955
1955
Westcott Lectures begin
1956
1956
Diamond jubilee of the college celebrated.
1958
1958
The present Junior Combination Room and Mukarii East Block constructed, and the first Library Extension takes place.
1960
1960
Principal Raja Ram retires and Satish Chandra Sircar becomes the second Old Stephanian to become the Principal (the 8th) of the College (1960-72).
1960-61
1960-61
(Old) Science Block is commissioned.
1962
1962
The College rag mags Onset and Kooler Talk are published for the first time.
1968
1968
Mukarji West Block is constructed.
1971
1971
Gym handed over to College by the Alumni. It was named F.F.Monk Gymnasium after F.F.Monk, 5th Principal (1923-26) and the first President of Games.
1971-72
1971-72
The Mori Gate ground becomes functional.
1972
1972
Principal S.C.Sircar retires and Rev William Shaw Rajpal becomes the 9th Principal of College (1972-84). New Science Block commissioned.
1974
1974
President Fakruddin Ali Ahmad (an Old Stephanian) and his wife becomes the first Head of State and First Lady to visit College (on 7th Dec.).
1975
1975
Women readmitted to College.
1979
1979
(1st May) The body of Rev S.S.Allnutt is reinterred in the College Chapel.
1981
1981
College celebrates its centenary. Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the chief guest at the celebrations releases a 35p commemorative stamp of the College.Dr.T.G.Perceival Spear (lecturer in History 1924-40) was the representative of the Cambridge Committee at the celebrations.
1982
1982
Dr. I.H.Qureshi Memorial Lecturers begin.
1984
1984
Principal Rajpal dies while in office and Dr.John H.Hala becomes the 10th Principal of College (1984-91). Rev Maqbul Caleb, former Bishop of Delhi and an Old Stephanian, lays the foundation stone for the second Library extension (7th Dec.).
1985
1985
S.K.Bose Memorial Lectures begin.
1986
1986
Imperial Avenue renamed Sudhir Bose Marg to honour Sudhir K. Bose (1902-1988), Professor Emeritus of College, Lecturer in Philosophy 1937-67.
1987
1987
The Cafe Extension, and the Ladies’ Common Room are built. The second library extension is inaugurated.
1988
1988
The second library extension is inaugurated.
1991
1991
Dr. John H.Hala retires and Dr. Anil Wilson (Dept. of English of the Himachal University) is appointed the eleventh Principal of College.
1992-94
1992-94
Construction work for additional classrooms and a playing field at the old Dhobi Ghat get under way.
1993 94
1993 94
Girls admitted to B.Sc. (C) and B. A. Pass course.
1999
1999
Dr. John F. Hala passes away.
2006
2006
Dr. Anil Wilson retires and Dr. Jacob Cherian take charge as Vice-Principal
2007
2007
Dr. M. S. Frank becomes the Pro-tem and IRC established
2008
2008
Revd. Valson Thampu becomes the 12th Principal of College
2009
2009
Death of Principal Dr. Anil Wilson.
2010
2010
Sports Building is constructed.
2016
2016
Revd. Valson Thampu retires and Prof. John Varghese becomes the 13th Principal of the College.
2017
2017
Official Alumni Association established.
2021
2021
Legend Dr. E. U. David Baker passes away.
Credit:
Arvind Vepa: student of BA Honours and MA History (1989 to1994).
Sujit Viswanathan: student of BSc Honours and MSc Physics (1990 to 1994).
