University of Adelaide, Public university in central Adelaide, Australia
The University of Adelaide is a public institution in central Adelaide, Australia, with buildings spread across four main campuses. The North Terrace campus features 19th-century sandstone structures, while the other sites at Waite, Roseworthy and Thebarton house specialized research facilities and faculties.
Walter Hughes founded the institution in 1874 with a substantial financial gift, making it Australia's third oldest university. The institution expanded its sites over the following decades to accommodate new faculties and research priorities.
The institution welcomed Edith Emily Dornwell as one of its first female graduates in 1885, years before most English-speaking universities allowed women to earn degrees. This decision shaped how the campus saw itself and drew students from across the continent who valued educational reform.
Visitors can reach the main North Terrace campus on foot from the city center, as it sits near public transport connections. The other sites lie further out and require longer journeys by car or bus.
Bonython Hall was completed in 1936 and has served as the main venue for graduation ceremonies ever since, with its classical columns and stonework recalling Mediterranean building styles. The hall also hosts concerts and public events that draw locals and visitors alike.
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