From the Hartley Institute to the University of Southampton

This house (Picture 1) belonged to Henry Robinson Hartley, (1777-1850), a wealthy eccentric who was raised in Southampton and maintained an affection for the town. Hartley left money in his will for the establishment of a cultural institution in Southampton. He intended that the new institution should be established in the house. However, the bequest committee decided that the building was unsuitable and in 1862 it was demolished and replaced with a new building on the same site (Picture 2).