Rutherford's Ladder: The Making of Northumbria University, 1871-1996

This is the story of one of the largest universities in Britain and the academic institutions from which it was created. Aimed at those who have a professional interest in higher education, the influencespersonal, political, and policywhich come to bear on that development are also explored. Informative, entertaining, and accessible, this narrative reflects the important contribution that a group of colleges in the North East of England, each with their distinctive histories and cultures, and how it grew to become a major university. Its current position is that of a mature, innovative university with a vision of its future as one of the world’s leading teaching and learning universities. In its journey to this position, Northumbria University has affected, and been affected by, national and international developments in 19th, 20th, and now 21st-century higher education.