The government of Chennai was instrumental in the inception of "Chennai women's college" in a modest building called 'capper house' in July 1914 with 33 students. In 1915, the government effected the extension of the capper house and its surrounding area as part of the college premises. It started functioning with the intermediate courses. In 1916 under graduate courses were offered in History and Economics and later it acquired the grade 1 status. Gradually, intermediate solicits like Geography, Indian Music , Physics, Chemistry and Home Science were introduced. The college was renamed as "Queen Mary's college" in 1917. Initially it commends as an experimental college for women and attained the permanent status in 1918, after acquiring the goodwill of the masses. The golden jubilee celebration was celebrated in 1964. The first principal of the college Miss. D. Delahey M.A.,B.T., from England, felicitated the function and delivered the welcome address. The golden jubilee hall was instituted to commemorate the occasion and it also accommodates a number of classrooms. In 1965, the late, esteemed Mr.M.Bhaktavatsalam inaugurated the PUC course for the evening college. In 1975 diamond jubilee year was celebrated and the highlight of this occasion was the former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi graced the occasion. In 1987-1988 the college acquired the autonomous status. In 1990 the 75th year jubilee celebration was held. The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. M. Karunanidhi graced the occasion. To commemorate this event new building was constructed with two classrooms. The special focus of this year was the introduction of the B.Sc. Computer Science department. In 2010 "Kalaignar Maligai", new building, was opened by former chief Minister M. Karunanidhi . In 2012 another new building was constructed with 10 class rooms and a building for lab was also constructed and inaugurated by the Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha through Video Conferencing .