The history of St. Edmund's College, Shillong is intermingled with the brave efforts of the Germans and the Irish. The Christian Brothers were invited to Shillong in 1915 and St. Edmund's College was founded by the Irish Christian Brothers in 1916 as a higher secondary school and was recognised by the Cambridge University for examination up to Higher School Certificate level. Bro. Luke Aherne was the first director and Bro. M. S. O'Brian, the first sub-director. The college finally opened on 6 October 1916 by the Chief Commissioner of Assam and an educationist, sir Archdale Earle, with 32 boarders and 8 day scholars. The institution grew rapidly and by 1918 it had 89 boarders and 23 days scholars. In 1919, the number increased to 100 boarders and 16 day scholars. Out of them, 8 boys were sent, for the first time, for Higher Cambridge Local Certificate Examinations and 3 passed which was considered a remarkable achievement at that time. When the Government of India Act 1919 was passed, the college got affiliated with Calcutta University for Intermediate Arts (I.A.) and Intermediate Science (I.Sc.) courses in 1923. The first classes of the University section of St. Edmund's College opened in 1924. Bro. J.E. McCann was the first principal of the College (he was also the Principal of the School at this time). Bro. I.O' Leary was the first Principal of the College (separate from the School). From 1924 to 1936, St. Edmund's College was a junior college for intermediate Arts and Science. Bro. J.C. Roe conceived the idea of opening up university classes up to B.A. and B.T. (Bachelor of Teaching) standards and extension of these affiliation was granted on 14 September 1935. This was the first time when a non-government college in the Assam Province got affiliation up to B.A. and B.T. standards.