Gone down in history Bringing people up in the world

Goldsmiths’ history is full of pioneering and inspiring figures who have made a positive impact on society

Goldsmiths’ Technical and Recreative Institute is founded, dedicated to improving the skills and knowledge of the local working and artisan classes.

Teacher training courses are offered for the first time. Today, Goldsmiths continues to lead the way in educating teachers. See p16-17

Goldsmiths joins the University of London (the third oldest university in England).

1904

The Library is damaged by World War II bombing. Today our Library holds thousands of books, musical scores, audio-visual material and e-journals, as well as lots of study spaces and a café. See p34

Mary Quant (right) begins studying at Goldsmiths aged 16. The pioneering fashion designer, who was to become a key figure in the ‘swinging 60s’, described the university as “a great place to go – for causing trouble!”

1940 these that make the university so special. We introduce Goldsmiths to you through stories from our students and with an open mind and will leave with memories and connections that last a lifetime.

1964

A dedicated theatre is created in a former chapel. The George Wood Theatre is used for productions but also public lectures and guest workshops, including one from Sir Michael Caine in the mid-90s. In 2018, the facilities were given a multi-million-pound renovation. See p37

1988

2013

2002

Linton Kwesi Johnson (above), who studied sociology at Goldsmiths in the 1970s, becomes the first Black poet (and only the second living poet) to appear in the Penguin Modern Classics series.

Graduate Bernardine Evaristo (pictured left), who studied her PhD and taught at Goldsmiths, is awarded the Booker Prize for her novel ‘Girl, Woman, Other’. She shares the award with Margaret Atwood.

We launch the Green New Deal, to address the climate emergency. See p15

2019