The collection features the principals of Queen Mary and its predecessor body Westfield College, and traces the history of the institution back to the establishment of the People’s Palace in 1885, a philanthropic endeavour to provide culture and education to the people of East London, and Westfield College in 1882, one of the first higher education colleges for women.
The paintings were commissioned by the Colleges during the tenure of the respective principals. The collection also includes paintings originally acquired by Westfield College, and now housed in the Archives, which include a beautiful piece capturing Queen Hythe Dock in Southwark, painted by an alumnus. Outstanding works include 'Mrs Mary Stocks' by Philip Connard, 'Professor Caroline Skeel (1872–1951), MA, DLitt' by Percy Bigland, and 'Constance Louisa Maynard, MA, Mistress (1882–1913)' by George William Joy.
Professor I. Butterworth, CBE, FRS, Principal of Queen Mary College (1986–1990)Carl Cheek (1927–2011)
Queen Mary, University of London
Sir Harry W. Melville, Principal of Queen Mary College (1967–1976)June Mendoza (1924–2024)
Queen Mary, University of London
Major General Sir Frederick B. Maurice (1871–1951), Principal of East London College and Queen Mary College (1933–1944)Henry Lamb (1883–1960)
Queen Mary, University of London
Professor John Leigh Smeathman Hatton (1865–1933); Director of Evening Classes (1892–1896) and Director and Principal, East London College (1896–1933); Vice Chancellor of London University (1932–1933)Augustus Edwin John (1878–1961)
Queen Mary, University of London
Sir James Menter, Principal of Queen Mary College (1976–1986)Humphrey Ocean (b.1951)
Queen Mary, University of London
Sir Thomas P. Creed, Principal of Queen Mary College (1952–1967)Peter Greenham (1909–1992)
Queen Mary, University of London
Professor John Varey, Principal of Westfield College (1983–1989)Carl Cheek (1927–2011)