Wills History
Wills Hall is named for Henry Herbert Wills (1856-1922), a philanthopist and businessman, a member of a family of tobacco merchants prominent in Bristol and a family ultimately responsible for the foundation of the University. Wills Hall was funded and built in HH's memory in the 1920s by his brother George Alfred Wills (1854-1928), and an elegant Latin inscription on the inner wall of the entrance to the Hall commemorates this (check out our donations page, which has a photograph). HH's widow, Dame Monica Wills (1861-1931) provided funds to build the Chapel on the same site in 1930.
There is currently widespread discussion about the ethics of donations from the Wills family to the University of Bristol, because the family profited from the exploitation of slaves in the 19th century. The WHA is actively engaged in these debates. We will publish the WHA's considered response to the University's consultation in due course.
The Wills family motto is "tempus fugit, caritas manet" (time flies, love endures).
Wills Hall was founded in 1929 as the first hall of residence in Bristol specifically for male students. This page traces the outline of its history, but a much fuller account can be found in A History of Wills Hall, by M. J. Crossley Evans and Andrew Sulston.
The old Warden's House at Wills is properly called Downside House and was at the heart of the substantial estate gifted to the University of Bristol by the Wills family in the 1920s. It was built not by the Wills family but by the George family, whose fortune was made in brewing. Click here for more information.
Sir Winston Churchill had a long and honourable association with the University of Bristol and as its Chancellor opened Wills Hall formally in 1929. Click here for more information on the Churchill connections at Wills.
The Wills Family
The Wills family was hugely influential in the early years of the University of Bristol and donated millions of pounds (even in early 20th-century money!) to found the University and build some of its iconic structures, including Wills Hall. Click here for more information.
Exactly 90 years to the day after the inaugural luncheon presided over by Sir Winston Churchill, the WHA hosted an anniversary dinner and the University's Special Collections Department mounted a beautiful exhibition of memorabilia. Click here for more information.
Between 1929 and 2018, Wills Hall was led by a Warden, with the support of a Sub-Warden (later Deputy Warden) and a team of Tutors (later Senior Residents), as well as indispensable Student Support Advisors. Wardens across the University were made redundant in 2018 and pastoral support is now the province of the Residential Life division of the University.