All of the staff in 1907, with Principal Frans C. Forth featured at the middle of the first row.
A portrait painting of Frans C. Forth, in his Royal Irish Rifles military uniform, that was hung up in the Central Hall.
All of the staff in 1907, with Principal Frans C. Forth featured at the middle of the first row.
A portrait painting of Frans C. Forth, in his Royal Irish Rifles military uniform, that was hung up in the Central Hall.
A leading member of the committee Sir Otto Jaffe, sailed to England in the summer of 1900 to head-hunt the first Principal. The committee wanted someone with the necessary skills to create a first class institute in Belfast. Frances Charles Forth, Vice-Principal of Manchester School of Technology was lauded in Manchester’s newspapers for his achievements, his organisational ability and was a reported workaholic. He was praised for the increase in educational provision, student intake and for the general reputation of his college.
Frances Forth accepted the formidable challenge of creating a major technical institute in Belfast and in November 1900, despite fierce competition from other contenders, he was appointed Principal and Director of Technical Instruction, at the princely sum of £600 per annum. Although not appointed until February 1901, Frances Forth immediately established contact with employers in the City to identify their requirements. Exchanges with Harland and Wolff included their proposed amendments to the building. Frances Forth also visited mills, factories, foundries and workshops and addressed meetings and workers to recruit students into the college and bolster support from the employers. His connections with the leading employers were seen as a crucial element in a system of networking.
Frances Forth, known as ‘the Master’ was a well known figure in Belfast. He was appalled by the enormous difference in wealth and privilege within a few yards of his office in College Square North. One anecdote tells of a visit by the Principal to a ‘Women’s Work Department’ meeting at Templemore Avenue Baths outcentre. A number of women, mostly in their 50s, asked for a meeting with the Principal and informed him that they never had the opportunity to learn to read or write. Mr Forth set up special classes, with no fees, and within six months the group was receiving basic education denied to them as children.
A large portrait of Frances Forts in uniform of the Royal Ulster Rifles during the First World War hung in the Central Hall of College Square East and can be viewed on the artwork section of the website.