Chorlton-on-Medlock in Manchester in Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Beyer Building
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 14, 2026
1. The Beyer Building Marker
The building in front of you is named after Charles Beyer (1813–1876), an accomplished railway engineer who co-founded Beyer, Peacock and Company, a locomotives manufacturer in Gorton. A weaver’s son from Saxony, Beyer moved to Manchester as a young man and worked his way up in industry. Showing exceptional talent, he became a founding member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
As a keen supporter of education, he was a life member of the Manchester Mechanics’ Institution and, from the 1860s, a governor of Owens College, both predecessors of The University of Manchester. Through generous donations and a substantial legacy, he contributed to the construction of the purpose-built facilities for Owens College on Oxford Road.
Collections for research
The Beyer Building opened in 1887 to house geology, zoology and botany. It was connected to the adjacent Manchester Museum, which was built at the same time so that professors and students could easily use the collections for research and teaching. Many notable academics taught here, including Marie Stopes and William Boyd Dawkins.
Marie Stopes (1880–1958)
Marie Stopes taught fossil botany at the University from 1904 to 1907. She was the first female lecturer in the Faculty of Science, and in 1905 became Britain’s youngest Doctor of Science. She went on to campaign for women’s suffrage, family planning and better understanding of sexuality. Her 1918 book, Married Love, was a bestseller. In 1921 she founded the first birth control clinic in Britain.
Sir William Boyd Dawkins (1837–1929)
As a geology student at Jesus College, Oxford, Boyd Dawkins was fascinated by fossils. He came to Manchester to work as a museum curator and became Professor of Geology at Owens College in 1874. Widely known for his studies on ancient hyenas, rhinoceroses and early
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(Captions)
Charles Beyer
Class in the zoology laboratory, 1900
Marie Stopes
William Boyd Dawkins
Erected by The University of Manchester.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Paleontology • Science & Medicine • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 53° 27.955′ N, 2° 14.046′ W. Marker is in Manchester, England, in Greater Manchester. It is in Chorlton-on-Medlock. It can be reached from the intersection of Oxford Road and Brunswick Street, on the left when traveling north. This marker is located on the Old Quadrangle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 Oxford Road, Manchester, England M13 9NR, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North West England. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically,
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 14, 2026
2. The Beyer Building Marker
The marker is located in front of the building's entrance, facing the Old Quadrangle.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marie Stopes (a few steps from this marker); Ernest Lord Rutherford (within shouting distance of this marker); Alison Uttley (within shouting distance of this marker); Infected Blood Inquiry Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rutherford Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The University of Manchester World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The University of Manchester World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ernest Rutherford (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manchester.
Also see . . . The Beyer Building (The University of Manchester). (Submitted on October 31, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
