Surendranath Banerjea needs no introduction as a great patriot, political leader, orator, teacher, educationist, journalist. He is one of the most eminent personalities in the history of India. He was the founder of this prestigious institution and his noble idea of bringing higher education within the reach of the widest possible sections of the society remains the guiding motto of the college. In 1882, the Presidency School, which formed the nucleus of the present Institution, was handed over to Sir Surendranath Banerjea on 1st January 1884. He raised it to the status of a college affiliated to the F.A. standard and named it “THE PRESIDENCY INSTITUTION”. Within a year the institution was converted into a full fledged, first grade college under the name “RIPON COLLEGE”. Its activity was further extended through the opening of the Post-Graduate Department of Law in 1884, which was later affiliated to the Calcutta University in the year 1885, as an independent professional college. Since then, as long as he lived, Sir Surendranath not only remained at the helm of affairs, but was also active as a teacher, in the college. Sir Surendranath attached the name of Lord Ripon to his Institution as a tribute to the enlightened policies of the Viceroy. But after the attainment of independence, the golden cause to which Sir Surendranath dedicated his entire life, the name of the college was altered to Surendranath College. This was done to commemorate Sir Surendranath who had established this pioneering institution and nurtured it with utmost love and dedication.
This esteemed Law College is now regarded as one of the oldest law colleges of the country. The students of the College include Dr. Rajendra Prosad, the first president of India, Harendra Kumar Mukherjee, the first Governor of West Bengal, Justice Bijan Kumar Mukherjee, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India and many other luminaries and eminent personalities.
‘Rastraguru’ Surendranath Banerjea founded this college in the heart of the city close to the Sealdah Station - considering the convenience of commuting and to encourage more students to partake of quality education, especially for those who belonged to the downtrodden community . The former address of the college was 60, Mirzapur Street. The present address is 24/2, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Calcutta – 700 009.