East India Company College established at Hailey

Background. The East India Company College, or East India College, was an educational establishment situated at Hailey, Hertfordshire, nineteen miles north of London. It was founded in 1806 to train "writers" (administrators) for the East India Company. The college provided general and vocational education for young gentlemen of sixteen to eighteen years old, who were nominated by the Company's directors to writerships in its overseas civil service.

Foundation. Charles Grant, Chairman of the British East India Company and a Member of Parliament, was closely involved in the foundation of the college. It was first located in Hertford Castle, but a purpose-built seat of learning was deemed more suitable. In October 1805, the company purchased an estate just outside Hertford Heath for £5,930 for this objective.

Construction. The foundation stone of the new buildings was laid on 12 May 1806. The buildings cost the East India Company £92,000 at the time of their erection. They were designed by the architect William Wilkins, who later designed the National Gallery in London. The college was customarily referred to as "Haileybury" in contemporary accounts.