KCLSU History

Did you know that King's College London Students' Union (KCLSU) is the oldest students' union in the UK?

It all began in 1873 when a growing King’s College London gifted its students a common room to encourage a sense of student community between faculties. This marks the birth of KCLSU in its earliest form, although we've been through a number of name changes over the years! 

Every current student at King's is a member of KCLSU, and our members have gone on to do amazing things. One of our early Presidents, Ivison Macadam, became the founding president of the National Union of Students in 1922.

For nearly two decades, KCLSU also paid homage to one special alumni, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Desmond Tutu, with a nightclub in Surrey Street named after him! Sadly, Tutu's is no more, but Bush House still houses a metal bust which celebrates the theologian's time at King's.


His Royal Highness, Reggie the Lion

KCLSU members past and present all over the world have fought for our mascot, Reggie, and retrieved him from the clutches of enemies.

The history of Reggie

Our beloved Reggie celebrates his 100th birthday this year! He’s been through a lot in his long life: from being the biggest cheerleader of our sports teams over the years to enduring various kidnappings by UCL students, there’s life in the old lion yet.  

King's has chronicled the history of Reggie, celebrating his many adventures and the bands of King’s students who have engaged in mascotry over the past century.

Profile of Sir Ivison Macadam
Former KCLSU President Sir Ivison Macadam became the Founding President of the National Union of Students in 1922.

 

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