KCLSU History

King's College London Students' Union (KCLSU) is the oldest students' union in the UK. We were founded in 1873 as the Union Society of King's College London and then changed our name in 1908 to KCLSU. One of our early Presidents, Ivison Macadam, went on to become the founding president of the National Union of Students in 1922. 

Every current student at King's is a member of KCLSU, and this includes Nobel Peace Prize winner the Most Revd Desmond Tutu FKC during his time at King's. A metal bust celebrating his time at King's was originally placed in KCLSU’s now closed nightclub on surrey street called Tutu’s. The bust was moved to Bush House in 2018 when KCLSU’s The Vault opened.  


His Royal Highness, Reggie the Lion

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

The history of Reggie

King's has chronicled the history of Reggie celebrating the many adventures - mostly kidnaps - of Reggie and the bands of King’s students who engaged in mascotry over the past 90 years.

Most of his adventures were a result of our rivalry with UCL. Watch the video for more. 

Profile of Sir Ivison Macadam
Sir Ivison Macadam, KCLSU President in 1922 and became the Founding President of the UK's National Union of Students

- Wikipedia

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