Swansea history

Swansea: the history

The history of Swansea includes a continuous period of human occupation stretching back one thousand years, and there is evidence for consistent occupation of the surrounding area for thousands of years before that into prehistory.

Swansea was the main town of the region for much of the medieval period. In the 18th century, the beauty of its surroundings led local dignitaries to attempt to establish it as a tourist resort. It achieved far greater prominence with the onset of the Industrial Revolution. Mirroring the similar population explosions in the South Wales Valleys, the town's population rose from 6000 to 17,000 between the 1801 and 1851 Censuses. Industry grew throughout the 19th century, drastically changing the shape and even geography of the town and its surroundings. In the 20th century, industry declined but the town continued to grow in population.

Swansea officially gained city status in 1969.

Swansea: the university

The University is located in Swansea, Wales. It was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920. The new title of Swansea University was formally adopted on 1 September 2007. It is the third largest university in Wales in terms of number of students. The university campus is located next to the coast at the north of Swansea Bay, east of the Gower peninsula, in the grounds of Singleton Park, just outside Swansea city centre.
Swansea and Cardiff University compete in an annual varsity match, known as the Welsh version of the Oxbridge event, termed the Welsh Varsity.

Famous Swansea Alumni

Andy Hopper CBE FRS, co-founder of Acorn Computers Ltd, Sir John Meurig Thomas, Chemist, Martin Coles, President of Starbucks Coffee International, Sylvia Heal MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Geoffrey Thomas, President of Kellogg College, Oxford, Andy Hopper CBE FRS, Head of Computing at Cambridge University
Professor Dame Jean Thomas, first female Master, St Catharine's College, Cambridge
D.Z. Phillips, philosopher, Welsh rugby internationals Rob Howley, Alun Wyn Jones and Dwayne Peel, Simon Jones, Worcestershire and England cricketer, Richey Edwards and Nicky Wire of rock group Manic Street Preachers.