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Funded and Managed by
City of London Corporation
The London Archives

Our history

Key dates in the history of The London Archives
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The History of The London Archives

The London Archives was renamed in 2024, following on from the London Metropolitan Archives, which began its life in 1997. Our history goes way back further than that though - here's a timeline of key dates and events in the history of us (and our predecessors!)

  • 1067 - The first document in our collections is created, a charter from William I to the bishop, portreeve and burgesses in London, guaranteeing the citizens' rights.
  • 1828 - Guildhall Library is refounded as a library for Members, and later literary men, collecting manuscripts and small collections of London interest, the basis from which Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section and Guildhall Library Prints and Maps Section emerged in the twentieth century.
  • 1873 - Creation of a new library on the Guildhall site which opens to the public free of charge.
  • 1876 - Creation of the Corporation of London Records Office (CLRO). CLRO was the archive responsible for holding the departmental and organisational records of the City of London Corporation.
  • 1880s - Development of the Middlesex County Record Office, after a special committee is appointed by the justices of the peace to consider and report on the accommodation provided for the storage of the "old records" of the county.
  • 1889 - Formation of the London County Council and the creation of the London County Record Office in County Hall and the Record Keeper role in the Clerks' Department.
  • 1945 - The Guildhall Library Manuscripts and Guildhall Library Prints and Maps services takes the responsibilities of the local record office for the City of London (the “Square Mile”).
  • 1953 - The London County Council creates the position of Head Archivist and Librarian.
  • 1954 - Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section is declared a Diocesan Record Office.
  • 1965 - The Greater London Record Office (GLRO) is formed by the new Greater London Council (GLC). This new record office merges the LCC's London County Record Office and the MCC's Middlesex County Record Office.
  • 1974 - Guildhall Library moves into new premises in the west wing of Guildhall.
  • 1986 - The GLC is abolished and the City of London Corporation assumes responsibility for the GLRO service.
  • 1997 - The GLRO becomes London Metropolitan Archives (LMA).
  • 2003 - The CLRO becomes part of LMA.
  • 2007 - Guildhall Library Manuscripts and Guildhall Library Prints and Maps services joins LMA.
  • 2024 - London Metropolitan Archives becomes The London Archives.