Bonn University, 1918-1919 The University of Bonn (German: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn) is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. It was founded in its present form as the Rhein University on 18 October 1818 by Frederick William III, as the linear successor of the Academy of the Prince-elector of Cologne) which was founded in 1777. The University of Bonn now offers a large number of undergraduate and graduate programs in a range of subjects and has 544 professors and 32,500 students. Its library holds more than five million volumes. Photo from album which possibly belonged to Lt Reginald Vigars Prenter (RVP), 72nd Bn.