the cemetery, developed on ground purchased from all souls college, oxford, was opened in 1873, three years after the united synagogue was established by act of parliament. it was expanded in 1890, in 1906 and between 1925 and 1926. the cemetery and its funerary buildings, in english gothic style, were designed by the architect nathan solomon joseph (1834–1909). in 2017 historic england listed the cemetery at grade ii on the grounds of: its being the first venture of the united synagogue; its having associations with many influential families and individuals who are buried there; its overall design by a prominent jewish architect; "the quality, opulence and variety displayed by the monuments as a group, reflecting both jewish traditions and english influences"; and its survival – "the old cemetery remains intact, whilst the subsequent evolution of the cemetery is well-documented and legible".