In 1891, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, founded the Goldsmiths Recreational and Technical Institute (better known simply as the "Goldsmiths Institute"[9]). The Goldsmiths' Company was established in the 12th century as a medieval guild of goldsmiths, silversmiths and jewellers. The Livery Company dedicated the founding of its new Institute to "the promotion of technical skill, knowledge, health, and general well-being among men and women of the industrial, working, and artisan classes." The original Institute was based at New Cross on the site of the former Royal Naval School; the building, now known as the Richard Hoggart Building, remains the main building on campus today.
Goldsmiths College students at the University of Nottingham in 1944
In 1904, the institute was merged with the University of London and re-established as Goldsmiths' College (the apostrophe was dropped in 1993, and the word 'College' was dropped in a rebranding in 2006). At the time, Goldsmiths was the largest teacher training institution in the country. The training functions were later expanded to include refresher courses for teachers, the Graduate University Certificate in Education, and an Art Teacher Certificate course. The university also had its own nursery school.
Shortly after the merger, in 1907, Goldsmiths added a new Arts building, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, to the rear of the main building. During the Second World War, it was decided to evacuate the university's faculty and students to University College, Nottingham, a decision that proved wise both at the time and in retrospect, as the main building was firebombed and destroyed in 1940. (and not finally repaired until 1947).
During the 1960s Goldsmiths experienced a rapid expansion in student numbers. It is during this period that Goldsmiths began to establish its reputation in the fields of arts and social sciences, as well as offering a number of new teacher training qualifications. The original main building was extended and the Lockwood Building, Whitehead Building, Education Building, Warmington Tower and St James's Hall were built to accommodate the influx of new students. The university also acquired a number of historic buildings in the surrounding area, including the splendid old Deptford Town Hall buildings and Laurie Grove Baths. The Richard Hoggart Building, Deptford Town Hall and Laurie Grove Baths retain Grade II listed building status.
In 1988 Goldsmiths became a full college of the University of London and in 1990 received its Royal Charter. Its guardians have included Richard Hoggart, Andrew Rutherford, and Ben Pimlott. The current and first female Warden is Frances Corner. Get information about best cheap universities in uk for students.
In 2018, the former Laurie Grove Baths Public Laundry and Boiler House was renovated and opened as Goldsmiths CCA.
In August 2019, Goldsmiths announced that it would remove all beef products from sale and levy a 10p tax on bottled water and single-use plastic cups. The changes were introduced as part of the university's efforts to become carbon neutral by 2025.
