University College London UCL as alumni, faculty or researchers. UCL was founded on 11 February 1826 under the name London University, as an alternative to the Anglican universities of Oxford and Cambridge. London University's first Warden was Leonard Horner, who was the first scientist to head a British university. Despite the commonly held belief that the philosopher Jeremy Bentham was the founder of UCL, his direct involvement was limited to the purchase of share No. 633, at a cost of £100 paid in nine instalments between December 1826 and January 1830. In 1828 he did nominate a friend to sit on the council,
Heythrop College, University of London many of its more precious volumes outside in the College repository in Egham. It has a large and important collection of pre-1801 books, such as Edward Baddeley's collections and a first edition of Isaac Newton's Opticks. The College library is owned by the Society of Jesus in Britain. Students at Heythrop College are also able to access the Senate House Library, and the libraries of the other colleges of the University of London due to the college's membership and specialist status. Through the University of London, Heythrop is also able to offer access to a wide range of digital journals