Wernher & Beit North

The Wernher and Beit complex constitutes the oldest named buildings on the University of Cape Town (UCT) Medical Campus, and remains the central core of the Faculty of Health Sciences. In 1925 the Governor General, the Earl of Athlone, laid the foundation stone of the first building, which was to house pathology, bacteriology and the Dean's office. Clinical departments followed later. The subsequent adjacent building was the home of anatomy and physiology, previously located on the Hiddingh campus. The two stately buildings made up the entire Medical School, and the adjacent university-owned land lay vacant until 1938 when Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), the teaching hospital, was finally completed. Sir Julius Charles Wernher, 1st Baronet (1850 - 1912), was a German- born Randlord and an art collector, who built a fortune in the diamond mines of Kimberley. He returned to London where he continued to develop his business interests and developed a passion for collecting art. At the time of his death he was one of the richest men in the UK. Alfred Beit (1853 - 1906) was born in Hamburg and emigrated to the Cape Colony in 1875 during the 'diamond rush' at Kimberley. He became one of a group of financiers who gained control of the diamond- mining claims in the Central, Du Toitspan, and De Beers mines, becoming life-governor of De Beers. On his death in 1906, the Beit Trust was formed, large sums of money being bequeathed for university education and research in South Africa, (then) Rhodesia, Britain and Germany. One bequest was for the establishment of an educational institution in Johannesburg, provided the money was used within 10 years. Fortunately for UCT, dragging of feet to the north led to the non-utilisation of the bequest. General Smuts, then Minister of Education, went to London and visited deceased Alfred's brother Otto, together with the invited Julius Wernher, and persuaded them to establish a Medical School on the Rhodes estate in Cape Town. Dent, D. and Perez, G. 2012. The place and the person: Named buildings, rooms and places on the campus of the Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town. SAMJ. Vol. 102: 6.

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Building Name
Wernher & Beit North
Description
The Wernher and Beit complex constitutes the oldest named buildings on the University of Cape Town (UCT) Medical Campus, and remains the central core of the Faculty of Health Sciences. In 1925 the Governor General, the Earl of Athlone, laid the foundation stone of the first building, which was to house pathology, bacteriology and the Dean's office. Clinical departments followed later. The subsequent adjacent building was the home of anatomy and physiology, previously located on the Hiddingh campus. The two stately buildings made up the entire Medical School, and the adjacent university-owned land lay vacant until 1938 when Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), the teaching hospital, was finally completed. Sir Julius Charles Wernher, 1st Baronet (1850 - 1912), was a German- born Randlord and an art collector, who built a fortune in the diamond mines of Kimberley. He returned to London where he continued to develop his business interests and developed a passion for collecting art. At the time of his death he was one of the richest men in the UK. Alfred Beit (1853 - 1906) was born in Hamburg and emigrated to the Cape Colony in 1875 during the 'diamond rush' at Kimberley. He became one of a group of financiers who gained control of the diamond- mining claims in the Central, Du Toitspan, and De Beers mines, becoming life-governor of De Beers. On his death in 1906, the Beit Trust was formed, large sums of money being bequeathed for university education and research in South Africa, (then) Rhodesia, Britain and Germany. One bequest was for the establishment of an educational institution in Johannesburg, provided the money was used within 10 years. Fortunately for UCT, dragging of feet to the north led to the non-utilisation of the bequest. General Smuts, then Minister of Education, went to London and visited deceased Alfred's brother Otto, together with the invited Julius Wernher, and persuaded them to establish a Medical School on the Rhodes estate in Cape Town. Dent, D. and Perez, G. 2012. The place and the person: Named buildings, rooms and
places on the campus of the Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town. SAMJ. Vol. 102: 6.
Address
9 Anzio Road,Health Science Campus, Observatory
Campus
Health Sciences
Latitude
-33.942815
Longitude
18.46559
Building Number
308
Building Code
3080
status
Owned

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Medical books and journal collections move to Medical School Event
Gertrude Glickman served as Medical Librarian from 1931 - 1970 Event
Mr Harvey was appointed as Medical Librarian in 1928 Event
location
Title Alternate label Class
Mr Harvey was appointed as Medical Librarian in 1928 Event
contentLocation
Title Alternate label Class
View of Wernher & Beit North Building from Groote Schuur Drive Image
View of Wernher & Beit North Building elevation Image
workLocation
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Mr S. Harvey worksinUCTBuilding Person