Founded in 1893 by Charles F. Harford-Battersby (1865-1925), the college enabled Sir Patrick Manson (1844-1922), the founder of the field of tropical medicine, his first opportunity to teach courses on tropical medicine. Originally in premises in Bow, in 1900 it moved to Leyton and was named after David Livingstone (1813-1873), Scottish Congregationalist, missionary and African explorer, who was a distant relation of the founder's mother. It was used as a hospital in the First World War and closed for the Second. Reopened in 1946, it moved to Reigate in 1947.

The college could accommodate sixteen students with the intent of giving missionaries a working knowledge of medicine and surgery, as well as studying Africa and its missions. It did not, however, make them medical missionaries. It became Primitive Methodist policy to send missionary candidates to the College, including the Rev.Edwin W. Smith, who sailed for Africa in 1898.

Entry written by: DCD
Category: School/College
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