University of Leicester

Founded in 1921 as University College, Leicester, following a local legacy to create a living memorial for those who served in World War I. It became a college of the University of London in 1927 and was granted its Royal Charter as an independent university in 1957. A landmark achievement was the 1984 discovery of DNA genetic fingerprinting by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys. It was instrumental in the search for King Richard III, whose remains were discovered and reinterred in Leicester. The university received the Queen's Anniversary Prize for its work in physics and astronomy.