[1] The Guild was founded in 1882 by Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo with the aim of preserving the artistic trade and the authenticity of the craftsmen behind it.
[1] Roughly 20 people were associated with the guild, but the only members were Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo, Herbert Horne and Selwyn Image.
[1] Despite inconsistent output, the group gained recognition through exhibiting and through their quarterly magazine called The Century Guild Hobby Horse which ran from 1884–1892.
[clarification needed] The Hobby Horse served as a way of sharing the views of the Guild and promoted crafted art as opposed to mechanical industry.
Voysey and Charles Rennie Mackintosh and influenced the formation of The Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society.