Robert Leslie Social Science Building
Item
Building Name
Robert Leslie Social Science Building
Alternative Title
Robert Leslie Social
Description
Named after the first Professor of Economics, founder and first Dean of the Faculty of Commerce.
Robert Leslie was appointed to the Jagger Chair of Economics in 1914 and retained the chair until his retirement in 1949. Leslie became the first Professor of Economics at SAC in 1914. He campaigned for
the establishment of a faculty of commerce and by 1920, it had been approved. The Cape Society of Auditors contributed £120 per year for the foundation of a Chair of Accounting, and with other donations, Leslie became the first Dean of Commerce, although still part of the Faculty of Arts. With a focus on the practical, Leslie was of the opinion that pure theory could never replace “common sense” and he worked for the establishment of the Faculty of Commerce. Staff would lecture after hours as they were all in practice. This was met with positive responses as many people in practice found students taking their board examinations ill prepared. Thus, 1921 saw the creation of the Faculty of Commerce and by 1922, the Cape Society of Accountants and Auditors was encouraging articled clerks to register for the B. Com. degree. Despite increased student numbers, only one additional lecturer was appointed, focussing like Leslie, on South African economics topics. While the faculty was still small at this time, it soon grew, requiring a building dedicated to commerce, named after Robert Leslie. Source: Origins
of Names of Buildings at the University of Cape Town, Mr M. Musemwa (Department of History UCT, 1993). Phillips, H. 1993. The University of Cape Town 1918-1948. Cape Town: UCT Press.
Robert Leslie was appointed to the Jagger Chair of Economics in 1914 and retained the chair until his retirement in 1949. Leslie became the first Professor of Economics at SAC in 1914. He campaigned for
the establishment of a faculty of commerce and by 1920, it had been approved. The Cape Society of Auditors contributed £120 per year for the foundation of a Chair of Accounting, and with other donations, Leslie became the first Dean of Commerce, although still part of the Faculty of Arts. With a focus on the practical, Leslie was of the opinion that pure theory could never replace “common sense” and he worked for the establishment of the Faculty of Commerce. Staff would lecture after hours as they were all in practice. This was met with positive responses as many people in practice found students taking their board examinations ill prepared. Thus, 1921 saw the creation of the Faculty of Commerce and by 1922, the Cape Society of Accountants and Auditors was encouraging articled clerks to register for the B. Com. degree. Despite increased student numbers, only one additional lecturer was appointed, focussing like Leslie, on South African economics topics. While the faculty was still small at this time, it soon grew, requiring a building dedicated to commerce, named after Robert Leslie. Source: Origins
of Names of Buildings at the University of Cape Town, Mr M. Musemwa (Department of History UCT, 1993). Phillips, H. 1993. The University of Cape Town 1918-1948. Cape Town: UCT Press.
Address
12 University Avenue South,Upper Campus, Rondebosch
Campus
Upper
Latitude
-33.959439
Longitude
18.460223
Building Number
140
Building Code
1400
status
Owned
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