Historian Raphael Samuel (1934-1996) was described by Stuart Hall as "one of the most outstanding, original intellectuals of his generation".

He was Professor of History at the University of East London at the time of his death and also taught at Ruskin College from 1962 until his death. He also took a leading part in founding the History Workshop movement which powerfully influenced the development of the approach to historical research and writing commonly called "history from below".

Since 1998, when Bishopsgate Institute accepted Samuel’s research archive, we have become the repository for not only his work but that of the History Workshop movement in general. We are now proud to be home to the archives of the History Workshop Movement, History Workshop Journal, London History Workshop Centre. These archives and more can be explored below.