Bentham and his ideas can nonetheless be seen as having inspired several of the actual founders of the university. He strongly believed that education should be more widely available, particularly to those who were not wealthy or who did not belong to the established church; in Bentham's time, membership of the Church of England and the capacity to bear considerable expenses were required of students entering the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. As the University of London was the first in England to admit all, regardless of race, creed or political belief, it was largely consistent with Bentham's vision. There is some evidence that, from the sidelines, he played a "more than passive part" in the planning discussions for the new institution, although it is also apparent that "his interest was greater than his influence". He failed in his efforts to see his disciple John Bowring appointed professor of English or History, but he did oversee the appointment of another pupil, John Austin, as the first professor of Jurisprudence in 1829.
bentham and his ideas can nonetheless be seen as having inspired several of the actual founders of the university he strongly believed that education should be more widely available particularly to those who were not wealthy or who did not belong to the established church; in bentham's time membership of the church of england and the capacity to bear considerable expenses were required of students entering the universities of oxford and cambridge as the university of london was the first in england to admit all regardless of race creed or political belief it was largely consistent with bentham's vision there is some evidence that from the sidelines he played a "more than passive part" in the planning discussions for the new institution although it is also apparent that "his interest was greater than his influence" he failed in his efforts to see his disciple john bowring appointed professor of english or history but he did oversee the appointment of another pupil john austin as the first professor of jurisprudence in 1829