Pitt Building - History | Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Commissioned in honour of Britain's youngest Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, The Pitt Building is a Cambridge icon. Learn about its illustrious history below.

William Pitt (1759 – 1806) was an undergraduate of Pembroke College, Member of Parliament for the University and the youngest prime minister in British history at the age of 24. After his death in 1806, funds for a commemorative statue in London (now in Hanover Square) were collected but a considerable amount of money was left over. It was suggested that the money be used to build the new Press between Silver Street and Mill Lane, directly opposite Pembroke, Pitt’s own college. Preliminary plans were put on display in October 1825.

1831

Edward Blore was the architect chosen to design the main frontage of the building. He was a highly respected architect having worked on some of the most important buildings in the country including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace. His brief stated that a handsome room should be included in the design - the result of which is the stunning Oriel Room.

The foundation stone of the Pitt Building was laid on 18^th October 1831 and the building was completed and handed over to the University of Cambridge in 1833

Steeped in Cambridge’s publishing and academic history all the business of the Press in Cambridge, including the printing of books, journals and Bibles, was carried out in the Pitt Building and the other buildings around the courtyard.

1913

By the 1850s the Press was using steam-powered machine presses, employing up to 300 people. It occupied several buildings in the Silver Street and Mill Lane area - the most important of these buildings was the Pitt Building.

In 1913 the Monotype system of typesetting is introduced by Charles Clay. The Press becomes expert at using this equipment to produce books of the highest quality.

Opposite: Compositors at the Pitt Building assembling movable type and blocks to form pages for printing

2004

In 2004 the Pitt Building was renovated to the highest modern standards to offer a superb combination of well-equipped meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, networking areas and teaching facilities, all of which have been designed with high quality equipment and furnishings, flexibility and comfort in mind.

2025

Following a significant enhancement project of the ground floor creating a splendid new reception area, The Pitt Building continues to be a highly regarded venue of distinction in central Cambridge with the Events Team managing approximately 500 events each year and welcoming around 10,000 delegates and guests to the building.

The building hosts a wide variety of events including public art exhibitions, an annual Christmas Fair, staff training days, conferences, evening receptions, summer schools and away days.