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George Alfred Wills was a keen amateur historian who regretted his
lack of a university education - this was the main reason
why he associated himself, and his wealth, with the
University in Bristol. He and his brother Harry
contributed around £500,000 (R.P.I. say about £25,000,000 in
2004) towards the University's expansion programme
in the early 1900's and in the 1920's he gave a lot more.
He purchased land for the University's playing fields, he
and his brothers endowed a number of chairs, he financed
the Wills Hall - a hall of residence for male
undergraduates (completed in 1929). Among his other gifts
were: Bristol General Hospital £60,000, the purchase of
Nightingale Valley for the enjoyment of his fellow
citizens... and in 1920 he bought the Victoria Rooms and
presented them to the University as a students club... with
a further £20,000 (R.P.I. =£500,000 in 2004) to help
towards maintenance. |
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