During the 1830s , the Manchester Mechanics ' Institute was failing to attract students to its science lectures . On 21 March 1839 , a meeting was held at the York Hotel to discuss the possibility of establishing an institution aimed solely at science education . The meeting was chaired by Hugh Hornby Birley , the leader of the troops at the Peterloo Massacre in 1819 , who revelealed that the project was to be based on Jacob Perkins ' Adelaide Gallery of Practical Science in London and was to : William Fairbairn , Eaton Hodgkinson and John Davies were all at the meeting and gave their enthusiastic support . A prospectus was published in the '' Manchester Guardian '' seeking to raise capital through a joint-stock company , representing the Gallery as a sound financial investment . A committee was established to create the new Gallery and included , Hodgkinson , Fairbairn , Davies and Richard Roberts , the last three , all founders of the Mechanics ' Institute
Peterloo Massacre
Peterloo Massacre
Royal Victoria Gallery for the Encouragement of Practical Science