Queen's College occupies an extraordinary position in the history of education. It was founded in 1848 by Frederick Denison Maurice, professor of English Literature and History at King's College London and Christian Socialist thinker. His ambition was to provide a means by which women could gain a serious education, and Queen's was the first institution in Great Britain where women could study for and gain academic qualifications. In 1853 Queen's received a Royal Charter from Queen Victoria which established much of the organisation of the College. Following this early royal patronage, the Patron of the College has always been a queen, and our current Patron is Her Majesty The Queen.

In keeping with its radical and pioneering past, Queen's has maintained a liberal and self-confident tradition throughout its history. It has educated young women who have gone on to become leaders in the professions and who have blazed trails in just about every walk of life.