Chemistry was first recognized as a separate discipline at Oxford University in the 19th century. From 1855, a chemistry laboratory existed in a basement at Balliol College.[2] In 1879, Balliol and Trinity agreed to have a laboratory at the boundary of the two colleges. The laboratory became the strongest of the Oxford college research institutions in chemistry.[5] It remained in operation until the Second World War when a new Physical Chemistry Laboratory (PCL) was constructed by Oxford University in the Science Area.[2]