Originally founded as Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland College, the University of Leicester welcomed its first students in October 1921. The group, who numbered no more than eleven, took classes in English, Latin, French, Geography, and Botany within the walls of what is now the Fielding Johnson Building. The opening of the College was the result of four years of debate, organisation, and fundraising to achieve the goal of establishing a higher education institution in Leicester as a ‘living memorial’ to the First World War. These pages tell the story of our founding and early history, and recognise the contribution of our first students, staff, and members of the local community to building what is now the University of Leicester.