E1270 - Creating The National Trust

Octavia Hill, Hardwicke Rawnsley, and Sir Robert Hunter founded The National Trust on January 12, 1895, with an intention to preserve Britain’s natural beauty and historic treasures for the public and future generations.

The founders’ efforts reflected the late Victorian spirit of social and environmental reform, championed by figures like John Ruskin and William Morris. Rawnsley led early efforts by opposing a Lake District construction project, rallying support to protect its pristine landscapes. This campaign highlighted the growing realization that industrial progress could irreparably harm Britain’s natural treasures. Over the decades, the National Trust evolved into the cultur...