St. Xavier's College

St. Xavier's College was founded on 2 January 1869 in Bombay by German Jesuits, beginning with only two students. Swiss Jesuit Joseph Michael Willi served as its first principal from 1869 to 1873. The Bombay University granted it formal recognition on 30 January 1869. The college developed rapidly from 1884 to 1910 under Principal Frederick Dreckmann, adding facilities such as a hostel (1909) and a science wing (1912), and first admitted women in 1912. During World War I, German Jesuit staff were interned, disrupting administration until other European Jesuits took over. By the 1920s, the college had expanded beyond liberal arts into science departments like Chemistry and Biology, and added new languages. The 1930s saw major architectural expansion under Gonzalo Palacios, including a new library and chapel. After India's independence, departments such as Sociology and Anthropology (1951) and Psychology (1957) were established. The college is affiliated with the University of Mumbai and was the first college granted autonomy by it in 2010. It received an 'A+' NAAC grade in 2006. Today it is run by Indian Jesuits, offering courses in Arts, Science, Business, Commerce and Public Policy, and hosts the intercollegiate 'Malhar Fest'. Notable visitors include Hillary Clinton (2009) and Barack Obama (2010).