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Welcome to Ruskin's Guild of St George

John Ruskin (1819-1900) was a polymath. As a writer, he commanded international respect. He was an art critic and an art patron, a skilled draghtsman and talented watercolourist, and a fierce critic of prevailing social and political norms. He wrote about nature and architecture, craftsmanship, geology, botany, Greek myth, education—a dizzying variety of subjects. Driven by his deep faith in social justice, he established the Guild of St George in the 1870s to right some of the social wrongs of the day and make England a happier and more beautiful place in which to live and work.

The founding aim of the Guild was to acquire land and—through labour, wind and water power—to bring it into useful production.

The Guild's activities today are mainly focused around the Ruskin Collection in Sheffield and its woodlands and rural projects in the Wyre Forest. We also host symposia on issues of contemporary concern and publish a growing range of books and cards.

More active than ever before, we continue to promote the value of art, craftsmanship and a sustainable rural economy, putting Ruskin's ideas into practice in the 21st century. We run our own ambitious projects, which you can read about on this site. We also work with our increasingly international membership and partner other organisations in order to encourage the advancement of Ruskin's aims and principles.

DOWNLOADS Read our latest
• Guild introductory leaflet
• issue of our magazine, The Companion
• AGM Papers (2017) and Curator's Report.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
If you share our objectives and wish to join us and become a Companion (the name given by Ruskin to members and still used today)—or if you have any questions or suggestions—please email enquiries@guildofstgeorge.org.uk). Thank you for your interest.

We rely heavily on donations and legacies.

If you feel you can donate to us please
• download our donations form and (if appropriate) a gift aid declaration.

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You can read about some of our past events here.

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