Cambridge

The University of Cambridge was founded after a group of scholars left the University of Oxford following a dispute with local townsmen. They settled in Cambridge and established what would become one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. The precise date of the university's founding is unclear, but it is generally considered to have been in 1209.

Following a conflict with the townspeople of Oxford, several scholars left the city and moved to Cambridge, where they laid the groundwork for establishing what would become the University of Cambridge. This migration marks a pivotal event in the history of Cambridge, resulting in the city's long-standing academic tradition.

Isaac Newton, while a student at the University of Cambridge, developed his theories on calculus, optics, and gravitation. His work during this period laid the foundations for classical mechanics and significantly advanced mathematical theory. Newton's Principia Mathematica, published later, would become one of the most important works in the history of science.

The tower of St. Mary the Great, the University Church of Cambridge, was completed in 1608. This historic church has played a central role in the academic and religious life of the university. It is traditionally where University sermons are preached and was the church of many notable university members.

The settlement known as Cambridge was recognized as a town in 1897. This formal establishment as a town marked its development into a prominent urban center in Cambridgeshire, England, and laid the foundation for its future growth and importance as an academic and cultural hub.

During World War II, Cambridge mathematicians and cryptanalysts played a crucial role in breaking the codes and ciphers of the Axis powers, particularly the Enigma cipher. Their work at Bletchley Park, along with colleagues from Oxford and other universities, significantly contributed to the Allied war effort by providing critical intelligence.

The Mathematical Bridge is a wooden footbridge between two parts of Queens' College, Cambridge. Designed by William Etheridge and built by James Essex in 1749, the bridge is known for its elegant engineering design, built entirely without nails despite its common name. It was rebuilt in 1866 and again in 1905 using the same design.

James Watson and Francis Crick, working at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, discovered the double helix structure of DNA. This groundbreaking discovery explained how genetic information is stored and transmitted in living organisms, fundamentally advancing the field of genetics.

Maurice Wilkes and his team at the University of Cambridge pioneered developments in computer science, designing and building one of the earliest computers, the EDSAC. This work helped establish Cambridge as a leading center of computing research and led to significant advances in computer technology and architecture.

The Cambridge Science Park was established in 1968 by Trinity College, Cambridge, and is the United Kingdom's oldest science park. It was created to facilitate and encourage collaboration between the university and industry, and has become a major center for scientific technology and innovation.