Our Impact

When Gresham College was set up in 1597, it was the first institute of higher learning in London. It was also a time where the major universities, Oxford and Cambridge, still taught in Latin. Gresham College was accessible to the common people of the city, delivering lectures in English. They included subjects that many universities did not teach, like astronomy and geometry, which had practical applications for navigation and trade.

One of the most far-reaching impacts Gresham College had was the founding of the Royal Society, which was set up by a group of 12 men after one of Sir Christopher Wren’s lectures in 1660. Today, it is one of the most prestigious scientific societies in the world.

Our lecturers have included luminaries like Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke. Find out more about our history. 

Across its long history, Gresham College has adapted its lecture programme while remaining true to its founding mission of free public education; fostering curiosity, debate, and the spread of expert knowledge long before online learning made such access commonplace.

Gresham College’s YouTube lectures have now been viewed over 70 million times, a powerful testament to the enduring demand for free quality public education.

Gresham College 2024–25

During the 2024-25 academic year, Gresham College continued to expand its reach, deepen public engagement, and strengthen its position as a leading provider of free public education.

We welcomed 10,662 in-person audience members to our lectures, representing a 15.3% increase on the previous year and reflecting increased awareness of our live intellectual events. Alongside this, our digital presence grew significantly, enabling us to reach audiences world wide.

In its first year, our new volunteering project mobilised supporters to contribute 562 hours of hands‑on support, strengthening our community and helping us reach more people than ever before.