It was founded by Dorothy de la Hey with the support of the Governor of Madras Presidency Lord Pentland in 1914 as Madras College for Women.

[6][7] Originally the residence of Lt Col Francis Capper in the mid-19th century, the building later housed a hotel before becoming a college in 1914.

The college grew significantly under Dorothy de la Hey with many new buildings: Pentland House, Stone House and Jeypore House being built, and by 1923 Science subjects were also taught here.

[8][9] By the time Dorothy de la Hey left in 1936 the college had grown significantly.

[10] Capper House was later demolished to construct a new administrative office for the college known as the Kalaignar Maaligai, which was inaugurated in July 2010.