Who said “The mediaeval university looked backwards: it professed to be a storehouse of old…”?

Verified

Thomas H. Huxley. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter to E. Ray Lankester (11 April 1892) Huxley Papers, Imperial College: 30.448

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

“The mediaeval university looked backwards: it professed to be a storehouse of old knowledge... The modern university looks forward: it is a factory of new knowledge.”
VerifiedLetter to E. Ray Lankester (11 April 1892) Huxley Papers, Imperial College: 30.448 · evidenceColleges and Universities

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to E. Ray Lankester (11 April 1892) Huxley Papers, Imperial College: 30.448.

APA

Huxley, T. H. (n.d.). The mediaeval university looked backwards: it professed to be a storehouse of old knowledge... The modern university looks forward: it is a factory of new knowledge. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10200-the-mediaeval-university-looked-backwards-it-professed-to/

MLA

Huxley, Thomas H. “The mediaeval university looked backwards: it professed to be a storehouse of old knowledge... The modern university looks forward: it is a factory of new knowledge.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10200-the-mediaeval-university-looked-backwards-it-professed-to/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Huxley, Thomas H. “The mediaeval university looked backwards: it professed to be a storehouse of old knowledge... The modern university looks forward: it is a factory of new knowledge.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10200-the-mediaeval-university-looked-backwards-it-professed-to/.