THE ACADEMY
BORN 1741
REBORN 2008

The Royal Military Academy was established by King George II in 1741 with the aim of producing ‘Good officers of artillery and perfect engineers’. The proud, imposing buildings on Woolwich Common were built in 1806 as a new campus for its elite tutors and aspiring pupils – ‘sons of military men and the more respectable classes’.

For nearly 150 years the historic quarters and quadrangles hosted numerous gentlemen cadets through a challenging and constantly evolving curriculum from engineering and mathematics to swordsmanship and dancing.

1750s Snooker invented by a former cadet of The Academy. Juniors were known as ‘snookers’.

1806 Sir George Everest graduated from The Academy. Mount Everest was named after him.

1806 Peter Barlow appointed mathematical master. His work on magnetic compasses saved hundreds at sea.

1870 Graduation of Marshall Horatio Herbert Kitchener, famous for his “Lord Kitchener Needs You” during World War I.

1899 13-year-old AEJ Collins achieved the highest ever recorded cricket score – 628 not out.

1939 The Academy closed on the outbreak of World War II

1947 Royal Military Academy moves to Sandhurst

2005 London wins the 2012 Olympic bid

2008 Durkan Estates offers apartments and town houses at The Academy for private ownership

2009 Docklands Light Railway opens in Woolwich