The Shirley Institute was established in 1920 at a cost of £10,000 to accommodate the newly formed British Cotton Industry Research Association.

[2] It is a Grade II* listed building in the suburb of Didsbury, located 6 miles (10 km) south of the centre of Manchester, England.

He invited representatives of several Lancashire towns, local businessmen and politicians, and two civil engineers, Hamilton Fulton and Edward Leader Williams.

[4] Due to the intense opposition by Liverpool and the railway companies, the necessary enabling Act of Parliament was not passed until 6 August 1885.

[6] A significant contribution to the purchase price of £10,000 was made by William Greenwood, the MP for Stockport, who asked that the building be named after his daughter, Shirley.