CAMBRIDGE, University of, an English seat of
learning, of very ancient origin. It is probable
that it was a place of resort for students as
early as the 7th century. The date of its
incorporation as a university is 15 Henry III. (1231), and it received its first formal charter
of privileges from Edward I. (1291). Fuller
charters were granted in the reigns of Edward
II., Edward III., Richard II., and Henry IV.; and more ample privileges were given by Henry V., Edward IV., and Henry VII. Elizabeth granted an enlarged charter in 1562, and parliament in 1572 confirmed this and all preceding grants, with an act of incorporation under the name of the “chancellor, masters, and scholars of the university of Cambridge.” Queen Victoria confirmed the charter and privileges by order in council, July 31, 1858. The university consists of the following 17 colleges: St. Peter's, founded by Hugh de Balsham, bishop of Ely, in 1257; Clare Hall, by Elizabeth de Burgo, countess of Clare, in 1326; Pembroke Hall, by the countess of Pembroke in 1347; Gonville and Caius, by Edmund Gonville in 1348, increased by John Caius in 1558; Trinity Hall, by W. Bateman in 1350; Corpus Christi, by two Cambridge guilds in 1352; King's, by Henry VI. in 1441; Queens', by Margaret of Anjou in 1448, refounded by Elizabeth Widville in 1465; St. Catherine's, by Robert Woodlark in 1473; Jesus, by John Alcock, bishop of Ely, in 1496; Christ's, by Henry VI. in 1456, refounded by the countess of Richmond and Derby in 1505; St. John's, by the countess of Richmond and Derby in 1511; Magdalene, by Baron Audley in 1519; Trinity, by Henry VIII. in 1546; Emmanuel, by Sir Walter Mildmay in 1584; Sidney Sussex, by the countess of Sussex in 1598; Downing, by Sir George Downing in 1800. Each college is a corporate body, bound by its own statutes, but is likewise subject to the general laws of the university. Each of the 17 colleges furnishes members both for the legislative and executive branches of the government of the university. The former branch consists of a senate, which is divided into two houses, the regents' and the non-regents' house, and of the council of the senate, by which every university grace must be sanctioned before it can be brought before the senate. No degree is ever conferred without a grace for that purpose. The council consists of the chancellor, the vice-chancellors, four heads of colleges, four professors of the university, and eight other members of the senate. The executive officers of the university are a chancellor, a vice chancellor, a high steward, a commissary, the assessor, two proctors, a librarian, a registrar, two moderators, syndics, or officers appointed for special cases, two pro-proctors, three esquire bedels, and various inferior officers. The university sends to the house of commons two members, who are chosen by the collective body of the senate. The public professors are: the Lady Margaret's professor of divinity; the regius professors of divinity, civil law, physic, modern history, Hebrew, Greek; a professor of Arabic, and a reader who is appointed by the lord almoner; the Lucasian professor of mathematics; professors of moral philosophy or casuistry, chemistry, anatomy, botany, and