- published: 18 Nov 2012
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- author: JamoeMills
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- A. J. P. Taylor
- A. Michael Spence
- Accepted Frewen
- Adam Fox
- Addison's Walk
- Al-Muhtadee Billah
- Alan Hollinghurst
- Albert Hourani
- Alfred Denning
- Andrew D. Hamilton
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Andrew McNeillie
- Andrew Sullivan
- Aravind Adiga
- Ashley Bramall
- Baron Denning
- Ben Goldacre
- Benedikt Isserlin
- Bertie Wooster
- Bevis Hillier
- Blackfriars, Oxford
- Bowling green
- Brian Greene
- Brian Inglis
- Brideshead Revisited
- C. S. Lewis
- Campion Hall, Oxford
- Catholic Revival
- Charles Reade
- Chris Huhne
- Christopher Chataway
- Christopher Derrick
- Christopher Peacocke
- Colin Blakemore
- Compact disc
- Compline
- Daniel Purcell
- Daniel Quillen
- David Clary
- David Marquand
- David Souter
- David Weatherall
- Deer
- Desmond Morris
- Dominic Grieve
- Donald Adamson
- Dudley Moore
- Duncan Sandys
- Dutch Elm Disease
- E. H. H. Green
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- Ecce Cor Meum
- Edward Gibbon
- Eights Week
- England
- English Civil War
- Eric Berthoud
- Erwin Schrödinger
- Evelyn Waugh
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- Fallow Deer
- Fellow
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- Financial endowment
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- Grammy Award
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- Henry VII of England
- High Street, Oxford
- Hormuzd Rassam
- Howard Walter Florey
- Howards End
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- Ian Hislop
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- James Richard Atkin
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- K. B. McFarlane
- Katie Mitchell
- Keith Joseph
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- King Edward VIII
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- Longwall Street
- Lord Alfred Douglas
- Louis Theroux
- Magdalen Players
- Magdalen Tower
- Malcolm Fraser
- Martha Lane Fox
- Martin Gilbert
- Martin Joseph Routh
- Mary Magdalene
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- May Morning
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- Michael England
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- New College, Oxford
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- Orlando Gibbons
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- Oxford
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- Paul Brough
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- Plainsong
- Porter's lodge
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- Ralph C. S. Walker
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- River Cherwell
- Robert Gunther
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Addison's Walk
Addison's Walk (originally called Water Walk) is a picturesque footpath around a small island in the River Cherwell in the grounds of Magdalen College, Oxford, England. There are good views of Magdalen Tower and Magdalen Bridge from along the walk.
The Walk is named after Joseph Addison (1672–1719), a Fellow of the College from 1698 to 1711, who enjoyed walking there and wrote articles in The Spectator about landscape gardening. The path most likely dates from the 16th century, although the name "Addison's Walk" has only been in use since the 19th century. Addison's Walk originally finished at Dover Pier, an old Civil War gun position on the River Cherwell. It was made into a circular walk in the 19th century.
The walk is referenced frequently in Justin Cartwright's novel The Song Before it is Sung.
Addison's Walk was a favourite walk of the author C.S. Lewis (1898–1963), who lived in the Oxford area from 1921 until his death 42 years later. He regularly frequented Addison's Walk with famous friends including Hugo Dyson and J. R. R. Tolkien.
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England
England
i/ˈɪŋɡlənd/ is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, while the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separate it from continental Europe. Most of England comprises the central and southern part of the island of Great Britain in the North Atlantic. The country also includes over 100 smaller islands such as the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight.
The area now called England was first inhabited by modern humans during the Upper Palaeolithic period, but it takes its name from the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries. England became a unified state in AD 927, and since the Age of Discovery, which began during the 15th century, has had a significant cultural and legal impact on the wider world. The English language, the Anglican Church, and English law—the basis for the common law legal systems of many other countries around the world—developed in England, and the country's parliamentary system of government has been widely adopted by other nations. The Industrial Revolution began in 18th-century England, transforming its society into the world's first industrialised nation. England's Royal Society laid the foundations of modern experimental science.
wn.com/England -
High Street, Oxford
The High Street in Oxford, England runs between Carfax, generally recognized as the centre of the city, and Magdalen Bridge to the east. Locally the street is often known as The High. It forms a gentle curve and is the subject of many prints, paintings, photographs, etc. The vista looking west towards Carfax with University College on the left and Queen's College on the right is an especially popular view. There are many historical buildings on the street, including Oxford University buildings and colleges.
To the north are (west to east): Lincoln College (main entrance on Turl Street, including All Saints Church, now Lincoln College's library.), Brasenose College (main entrance in Radcliffe Square), St Mary's (the University Church), All Souls College, The Queen's College, St Edmund Hall (main entrance in Queen's Lane) and Magdalen College (including Magdalen Tower).
To the south are (west to east): Oriel College, University College (including the Boyle-Hooke plaque outside the Shelley Memorial), the Examination Schools, the Ruskin School of Drawing & Fine Art, the Eastgate Hotel (at the original entrance to the city) and the Botanic Garden.
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Howards End
Howards End is a novel by E. M. Forster, first published in 1910, which tells a story of social and familial relations in turn-of-the-century England. The main subject matter comprises the difficulties and benefits of relationships between people of divergent outlook, gender, or class; a further concern of the book is the need to accept and link multiple outlooks on the world within a single self. The themes of the book may be summed up in its famous epigraph, "Only connect...".
Many critics, including Lionel Trilling, consider Howards End to be Forster's masterpiece. In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Howards End 38th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.
The book is about three families in England at the beginning of the 20th century: the Wilcoxes, rich capitalists with a fortune made in the Colonies; the half-German Schlegel siblings (Margaret, Tibby, and Helen), who have much in common with the real-life Bloomsbury Group; and the Basts, a struggling couple in the lower-middle class. The Schlegel sisters try to help the poor Basts and try to make the Wilcoxes less prejudiced.
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Longwall Street
Longwall Street is a street in central Oxford, England. It runs along the western flank of Magdalen College, separated by an imposing and high 15th century stone wall for the length of the street, behind which is the college's deer park. The street is actually named after the old city wall to the west of the street, now largely hidden in the grounds of New College.
Holywell Street and St Cross Road form a junction with the northern end of the street. High Street forms a junction with the southern end.
In 1902 William Morris (later Lord Nuffield) established his fledgling car business on the site of a disused livery stables in Longwall Street. In 1910 he had new premises built on the site for his Morris Motors LImited with a floor area of 4,400 square feet (410 m2), space for 60 cars and showroom display windows. The premises are neo-Georgian, designed by by the architects Tollit and Lee and built of red brick. Production quickly outgrew the site and in 1913 Morris moved it to a new factory in Cowley southeast of Oxford. There is a small display with information about Morris Motors in one of the windows of the former Longwall premises.
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Magdalen Tower
Magdalen Tower, completed in 1509, is a bell tower that forms part of Magdalen College, Oxford. It is a central focus for the celebrations in Oxford on May Morning.
Magdalen Tower is one of the oldest parts of Magdalen College, Oxford, situated directly in the High Street. Built of stone from 1492, when the foundation stone was laid, its bells hung ready for use in 1505, and completed by 1509, it is an important element of the Oxford skyline. At 144 feet (44 m) high, it is the tallest building in Oxford. It dominates the eastern entrance to the city, towering over Magdalen Bridge and with good views from the Botanic Garden opposite.
The tower, joined to the south range of college buildings, is built in four storeys unequal in height. Octagonal turrets encase the corners; the slightly larger northwest turret encloses the spiral stair, lit by slit windows. The basement is windowless; the second and third stages have small windows in three sides; the fourth, principal storey is loftier, with a double window on each face divided by a buttress rising through the panelled frieze and mock battlements, where it is surmounted by a figure in a niche crowned by a pinnacle slightly smaller that the four pinnacles that crown the corners.
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Oxford
Oxfordi/ˈɒksfəd/ is a city in central southern England, the home of the University of Oxford. The city is the county town of Oxfordshire, and forms a district within the county. It has a population of just under 165,000, of whom 153,900 live within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles (80 km) north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames (also sometimes known as the Isis locally) run through Oxford and meet south of the city centre.
Oxford has a diverse economic base. Its industries include motor manufacturing, education, publishing and a large number of information technology and science-based businesses.
Buildings in Oxford demonstrate an example of every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons, including the iconic, mid-18th century Radcliffe Camera. Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of Oxford's university buildings. The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
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St Clement's, Oxford
Coordinates: 51°45′04″N 1°14′28″W / 51.751°N 1.241°W / 51.751; -1.241
St Clement's is a district in Oxford, England, on the east bank of the River Cherwell. Its main road, St Clement's Street (often shortened to just "St Clement's"), links The Plain (a roundabout) near Magdalen Bridge with London Place at the foot of Headington Hill at the junction with Marston Road to the north. There are several restaurants in the street.
St Clement's Church, the area's Church of England parish church, is off the southern end of Marston Road. The original St Clement's parish church was at The Plain but was demolished in 1828.
Stone's Almshouses in St Clement's Street were founded in 1700.
The artist William Turner lived here with his wife Elizabeth Ilott after their marriage in 1824.
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University of Oxford
Coordinates: 51°45′40″N 1°15′12″W / 51.7611°N 1.2534°W / 51.7611; -1.2534
The University of Oxford (informally Oxford University or Oxford) is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096. The University grew rapidly from 1167 when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. In post-nominals, the University of Oxford was historically abbreviated as Oxon. (from the Latin Oxoniensis), although Oxf is now used in official university publications.
After disputes between students and Oxford townsfolk in 1209, some academics fled north-east to Cambridge, where they established what became the University of Cambridge. The two ancient English universities have many common features and are often jointly referred to as Oxbridge. In addition to their cultural and practical associations, as a historic part of British society, they have a long history of rivalry with each other.
wn.com/University_of_Oxford -
University Parks
The Oxford University Parks, more normally the University Parks or just Uni Parks to members of the local community, is one large parkland area slightly northeast of the Oxford city centre in England. It is open to the public during the day, and has beautiful gardens, large sports fields, and rare and exotic plants.
From 1853 to 1864, the University of Oxford purchased a total of 91 acres (37 ha) of land from Merton College to build the parks. Some of this land was then used for the University Museum and the Science Area, so the current site is measured at about 74 acres (30 ha). The park is situated mostly on the west bank of the River Cherwell, though a small plot of land called Mesopotamia sits between the upper and lower levels of the river. The Parks are bounded by Norham Gardens to the north, Parks Road to the west and the Science Area on South Parks Road to the south.
Walter Sawyer has been superintendent of the Parks since 1991.
The following features of the Parks are of special interest:
wn.com/University_Parks -
Winchester, England
Coordinates: 51°03′48″N 1°18′31″W / 51.0632°N 1.3085°W / 51.0632; -1.3085
Winchester (archaically known as Winton and Wintonceastre) is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of the River Itchen. At the time of the 2001 Census, Winchester had a population of 41,420.
Winchester developed from the Roman town of Venta Belgarum. Winchester's major landmark is Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with the distinction of having the longest nave and overall length of all Gothic cathedrals in Europe. The town is also home to the University of Winchester and the famous public school, Winchester College. The city's architectural and historic interest, and its fast links to other towns and cities have led Winchester to become one of the most expensive and desirable areas of the country. A person who is from or resides in Winchester is sometimes locally known as a Wintonian.
wn.com/Winchester,_England
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A. J. P. Taylor
Alan John Percivale Taylor, FBA (25 March 1906 – 7 September 1990) was a British historian who specialised in 19th and 20th century European diplomacy. Both a journalist and a broadcaster, he became well known to millions through his television lectures. His combination of academic rigour and popular appeal led historian Richard Overy to describe him as "the Macaulay of our age".
Taylor was born in March 1906 in Birkdale near Southport, which was then part of Lancashire. His wealthy parents held left-wing views, which he inherited. Both his parents were pacifists who vocally opposed the First World War, and sent their son to Quaker schools as a way of protesting against the war. He was educated at various Quaker schools including Bootham School in York. Geoffrey Barraclough, a contemporary at Bootham, remembered Taylor as "a most arresting, stimulating, vital personality, violently anti-bourgeois and anti-Christian". Initially he had an interest in archaeology, and as a young man he was an amateur expert[clarification needed] in the history and archaeology of churches in northern England. His interest in archaeology led to a strong interest in history. In 1924, he went to Oriel College, Oxford to study modern history.
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A. Michael Spence
Andrew Michael Spence (born November 7, 1943) is an American economist and recipient of the 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, along with George A. Akerlof and Joseph E. Stiglitz, for their work on the dynamics of information flows and market development. He conducted this research while at Harvard University. In the current technological environment—with ever more abundant information flows about market development, prices, profit margins, investment instruments and rates of return—their work is more relevant than ever.
Michael Spence is probably most famous for his job-market signaling model, which essentially triggered the enormous volume of literature in this branch of contract theory. In this model, employees signal their respective skills to employers by acquiring a certain degree of education, which is costly to them. Employers will pay higher wages to more educated employees, because they know that the proportion of employees with high abilities is higher among the educated ones, as it is less costly for them to acquire education than it is for employees with low abilities. For the model to work, it is not even necessary for education to have any intrinsic value if it can convey information about the sender (employee) to the recipient (employer) and if the signal is costly.
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Accepted Frewen
Accepted Frewen (1588–1664) was a priest in the Church of England and Archbishop of York from 1660 to 1664.
Frewen was born at Northiam, in Sussex, the son of John Frewen who was the rector there. The unusual forename is an example of the type of puritan name not uncommon in the area in the late sixteenth century; his brother was called Thankful Frewen. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he became a Fellow in 1612.Anthony Wood describes him as being at that time "puritanically enclin'd". In 1617 and 1621 the college allowed him to act as chaplain to Sir John Digby, ambassador in Spain. In Madrid he preached a sermon that pleased Prince Charles, afterwards Charles I, who, on his accession, appointed him one of his chaplains.
In 1625 he became canon of Canterbury Cathedral and Vice-President of Magdalen College, and in the following year he was elected President. He was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University in 1628 and 1629, and again in 1638 and 1639. In 1631 he was appointed (additionally) Dean of Gloucester. It was mainly by his instrumentality that the University plate was sent to the king at York in 1642.
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Adam Fox
Adam Fox (1883 – 1977), Canon, was the Dean of Divinity at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was one of the first members of the "Inklings", a literary group which also included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Between 1938 and 1942 he was Professor of Poetry. Later he became Canon of Westminster Abbey and he is buried there in Poet's Corner. He was also Warden (Headmaster) of the famous Radley College.
During his time at Oxford, he wrote his long poem in four books "Old King Coel". It gets its name from King Cole, legendary British father of the Roman Empress Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. As Professor of Poetry, Fox advocated poetry which is intelligible to readers, and gives enough pleasure to be read again. This was important to him because poetry which is not reread will not be understood properly, and will therefore be irrelevant. This advocacy can be understood as a criticism against some forms of modern poetry.
Adam Fox surely was not one of the most important Inklings, yet he is of interest. He published works concerning Christianity and Platonism. In his 1945 Plato for Pleasure, he tried to introduce the general public to Plato. Fox desired to make Plato well known among the English classics again and hoped that people would study the platonic dialogues as well as the plays of Shakespeare. His biography of William Ralph Inge, the famous theologian, philosopher and Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, is still regarded as an important text on Inge and was awarded the 1960 James Tait Black Memorial Prize soon after its publication.
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Al-Muhtadee Billah
Al-Muhtadee Billah, GCVO (Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'Izzaddin Waddaulah; born 17 February 1974) is the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam. He was the first born son and heir to the throne of Brunei. He is the son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Pengiran Anak Saleha.
Al-Muhtadee Billah studied at Emanuel School and Magdalen College, Oxford in 1997. While at Oxford, he followed a programme of study specially designed for him involving Islamic Studies, Trade, Diplomacy and International Relations. He had previously attended St. Andrew's School, Brunei in Bandar Seri Begawan for his primary education. He is a pool and snooker enthusiast, and participated in the 2006 WPA Men's World Nine-ball Championship.
On 10 August 1998 Al-Muhtadee Billah was proclaimed Crown Prince of Brunei, putting him in line to become the 30th Sultan of Brunei.
The Crown Prince is also the Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; the Prime Minister is his father; HM The Sultan of Brunei. The Crown Prince is also a General in the Brunei Armed Forces and was appointed by his father the Sultan as the Deputy Inspector General of the Royal Brunei Police Force. As Senior Minister he is also Head of the National Disaster Management Committee.
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Alan Hollinghurst
Alan Hollinghurst FRSL (born 26 May 1954) is a British novelist, and winner of the 2004 Man Booker Prize for The Line of Beauty.
Hollinghurst was born on 26 May 1954 in Stroud, Gloucestershire, the only child of James Hollinghurst, a bank manager, and his wife, Elizabeth.[citation needed] He attended Canford School in Dorset.
Hollinghurst read English at Magdalen College, Oxford from 1972 to 1979, graduating with a BA in 1975, and a MLitt in 1979. His thesis was on the works of Ronald Firbank, E. M. Forster and L. P. Hartley, three gay writers. While at Oxford he shared a house with Andrew Motion, and was awarded the Newdigate Prize for poetry in 1974, a year before Motion.
In the late 1970s he became a lecturer at Magdalen College, and then at Somerville College and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. In 1981 he moved on to lecture at University College London, and in 1982 he joined The Times Literary Supplement, where he was the paper's deputy editor from 1985 to 1990.
Hollinghurst is gay. He lives in London.
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Albert Hourani
Albert Habib Hourani (Arabic: ألبرت حبيب حوراني; March 31, 1915 – January 17, 1993) was a British-Lebanese historian, specializing in the Middle East.
Hourani was born in Manchester, England, the son of Soumaya Rassi and Fadlo Issa Hourani, immigrants from Marjeyoun in what is now South Lebanon. His brothers were George Hourani and Cecil Hourani. His family had converted from Greek Orthodoxy to Scottish Presbyterianism and his father was an elder of the local church in Manchester. Hourani himself, however, converted to Catholicism in adulthood. One of his family members was here, Selina Issa Hourani.
Fadlo Hourani tried to enroll Albert into a local preparatory school in Manchester but it did not accept him as it did not take 'foreigners', he instead opened an alternative school in which Albert studied in until the age of fourteen. He later studied in London before attending Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied Philosophy, Politics, Economics and History (with an emphasis on international relations in the politics section of the degree), graduating first in his class in 1936. During World War II, he worked at the Royal Institute of International Affairs and in the office of the British Minister of State in Cairo. After the war's end, he worked at the Arab Office in Jerusalem and London, where he helped prepare the Arab case for the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry.
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Alfred Denning
Alfred Thompson "Tom" Denning, Baron Denning, OM, PC, DL (23 January 1899 – 5 March 1999), commonly known as Lord Denning, was a British soldier, mathematician, lawyer and judge. He gained degrees in mathematics and law at Oxford University, although his studies were disrupted by his service in the First World War. He then began his legal career, distinguishing himself as a barrister and becoming a King's Counsel in 1938.
Denning became a judge in 1944 with an appointment to the Family Division of the High Court of Justice and was made a Lord Justice of Appeal in 1948 after less than five years in the High Court. He became a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 1957 and after five years in the House of Lords returned to the Court of Appeal as Master of the Rolls in 1962, a position he held for twenty years. In retirement he wrote several books and continued to offer opinions on the state of the common law through his writing and his position in the House of Lords.
One of the most publicly known judges thanks to his report on the Profumo Affair, Denning was held in high regard by much of the judiciary, the Bar and the public, and was noted for his bold judgments running counter to the law at the time. During his 38 year career as a judge he made large changes to the common law, particularly while in the Court of Appeal, and although many of his decisions were overturned by the House of Lords several of them were confirmed by Parliament, which passed statutes in line with his judgments. Although appreciated for his role as 'the people's judge' and his support for the individual, Denning was also controversial for his campaign against the common law principle of precedent, for comments he made regarding the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four and as Master of the Rolls for his conflict with the House of Lords.
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Andrew D. Hamilton
Andrew David Hamilton (born 3 November 1952) is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
He was a pupil at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford and studied chemistry at the University of Exeter. After studying for a master’s degree at the University of British Columbia he received his PhD from St John's College, Cambridge in 1980 (supervisor: Professor Sir Alan R. Battersby FRS) and then spent a post-doctoral period at the Université Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg.
In 1981 he was appointed Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University then in 1988 as Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1997 he moved to Yale as Benjamin Silliman Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University. Hamilton's research has spanned porphyrin, supramolecular, medicinal, bioorganic chemistry and chemical biology. His lab is most noted for the design of barbiturate hosts, farnesyl tranferase inhibitors, protein surface binders, and helix mimetics. In 2004 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
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Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber Kt. (born 22 March 1948) is an English composer and impresario of musical theatre.
Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of variations, two film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass. He has also gained a number of honours, including a knighthood in 1992, followed by a peerage from the British Government for services to Music, seven Tony Awards, three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, fourteen Ivor Novello Awards, seven Olivier Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006.
Several of his songs have been widely recorded and were hits outside of their parent musicals, notably "The Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" and "You Must Love Me" from Evita, "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and "Memory" from Cats.
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Aravind Adiga
Aravind Adiga (Kannada: ಅರವಿಂದ ಅಡಿಗ, born 23 October 1974) is an Indian writer and journalist. His debut novel, The White Tiger, won the 2008 Man Booker Prize.
Aravind Adiga was born in Madras (now Chennai) on 23 October 1974 to Dr. K. Madhava Adiga and Usha Adiga, Kannadigas both of whom hailed from Mangalore. His paternal grandfather was the late K. Suryanarayana Adiga, former chairman of Karnataka bank. He grew up in Mangalore and studied at Canara High School, then at St. Aloysius High School, where he completed his SSLC in 1990. He secured first rank in the state in SSLC. Incidentally his elder brother Anand Adiga secured 2 nd rank in SSLC and first rank in PUC in the state. After emigrating to Sydney, Australia, with his family, he studied at James Ruse Agricultural High School. He studied English literature at Columbia College, Columbia University in New York, where he studied with Simon Schama and graduated as salutatorian in 1997. He also studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, where one of his tutors was Hermione Lee.
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Baron Denning
Alfred Thompson "Tom" Denning, Baron Denning, OM, PC, DL (23 January 1899 – 5 March 1999), commonly known as Lord Denning, was a British soldier, mathematician, lawyer and judge. He gained degrees in mathematics and law at Oxford University, although his studies were disrupted by his service in the First World War. He then began his legal career, distinguishing himself as a barrister and becoming a King's Counsel in 1938.
Denning became a judge in 1944 with an appointment to the Family Division of the High Court of Justice and was made a Lord Justice of Appeal in 1948 after less than five years in the High Court. He became a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 1957 and after five years in the House of Lords returned to the Court of Appeal as Master of the Rolls in 1962, a position he held for twenty years. In retirement he wrote several books and continued to offer opinions on the state of the common law through his writing and his position in the House of Lords.
One of the most publicly known judges thanks to his report on the Profumo Affair, Denning was held in high regard by much of the judiciary, the Bar and the public, and was noted for his bold judgments running counter to the law at the time. During his 38 year career as a judge he made large changes to the common law, particularly while in the Court of Appeal, and although many of his decisions were overturned by the House of Lords several of them were confirmed by Parliament, which passed statutes in line with his judgments. Although appreciated for his role as 'the people's judge' and his support for the individual, Denning was also controversial for his campaign against the common law principle of precedent, for comments he made regarding the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four and as Master of the Rolls for his conflict with the House of Lords.
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Benedikt Isserlin
Benedikt S. J. Isserlin (1916 - October 23, 2005) was former Reader and Head of the Department of Semitic Studies at the University of Leeds.
Born in Munich in 1916, Isserlin left Germany in the early 1930s, completing his secondary schooling in Switzerland and then briefly studying history at university there before entering the University of Edinburgh in 1935, where he read History and Archaeology. In the course of an illustrious undergraduate career, he was awarded five medals, prizes in both political science and history, and a scholarship.
Graduating with first class Honours in 1939, he moved to Magdalen College, Oxford to read Oriental Languages, specialising in Hebrew and Arabic; he had begun the study of the first of these whilst at Edinburgh. He proved an equally brilliant student at Oxford, achieving another First in 1943. Dr Isserlin then taught German at the King Alfred School in Wantage for several years, returning to Oxford in 1947 as Kennicott Hebrew Fellow, a post he was to hold for the next three years. During the latter stages of his tenure of this appointment, he was awarded a Scarborough Grant, enabling him to visit a number of Mediterranean countries to pursue his nascent archaeological interests. During this period, he was trained in archaeological methods by Dame Kathleen Kenyon, an experience which he always gratefully acknowledged as having greatly influenced his approach to the excavations he went on to direct himself.
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Bertie Wooster
Bertram Wilberforce "Bertie" Wooster is a recurring fictional character in the Jeeves novels of British author P. G. Wodehouse. An English gentleman, one of the "idle rich" and a member of the Drones Club, he appears alongside his valet, Jeeves, whose genius manages to extricate Bertie or one of his friends from numerous awkward situations. As the first-person narrator of ten novels and over 30 short stories, Bertie ranks as one of the most vivid comic creations in popular literature. Bertie’s middle name, “Wilberforce”, is the doing of his father, who won money on a horse named Wilberforce in the Grand National the day before Bertie was born and insisted on Bertie carrying that name (mentioned in Much Obliged, Jeeves).
Due to the volume of stories and time span over which Wodehouse wrote them, there are a number of inconsistencies and contradictions in the information given about his relatives. "Bertie" and several of his relations appear in the early Wodehouse story "Extricating Young Gussie". In that story the family name is Mannering-Phipps, not Wooster, and the story has never been included in collections of Jeeves and Wooster materials, however the incidents described in "Extricating Young Gussie" are referred to in later stories.
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Bevis Hillier
Bevis Hillier (born March 28, 1940) is an English art historian, author and journalist. He has written on Art Deco, and also a biography of Sir John Betjeman.
Hillier was born in Redhill, Surrey, his father was Jack Hillier, an authority and author on Japanese art. His mother was Mary Louise Hillier, an author on wax dolls and automata. Hillier was educated at Reigate Grammar School and Magdalen College, Oxford where he won the Gladstone Memorial Prize for History. He was employed as a journalist on The Times in 1963.
In 1968 his book Art Deco of the 20s and 30s was published by Studio Vista. This was the first major work on a hitherto neglected period of art, which had been previously been referred to by the name Art Moderne (The term Art Moderne thenceforth was used to refer to the later streamline style of Art Deco in the 1930s.). His use of the term Art Deco was adopted as the definitive term for this style of design. A year later, also by Studio Vista, he published a book concentrating on the art of caricature from the 13th century to the then present day. The book was simply entitled Cartoons and Caricatures. In 1971 he curated a major Art Deco show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts which along with his 1968 book greatly increased popular awareness of this style.
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Brian Greene
Brian Greene (born February 9, 1963) is an American theoretical physicist and string theorist. He has been a professor at Columbia University since 1996. Greene has worked on mirror symmetry, relating two different Calabi-Yau manifolds (concretely, relating the conifold to one of its orbifolds). He also described the flop transition, a mild form of topology change, showing that topology in string theory can change at the conifold point. He has become known to a wider audience through his books for the general public, The Elegant Universe, Icarus at the Edge of Time, The Fabric of the Cosmos, The Hidden Reality, and a related PBS television special. Greene also appeared on The Big Bang Theory episode "The Herb Garden Germination."
Greene was born in New York City. His father, Alan Greene, was a one-time vaudeville performer and high school dropout who later worked as a voice coach and composer. After attending Stuyvesant High School, Greene entered Harvard in 1980 to concentrate in physics. After completing his bachelor's degree, Greene earned his doctorate from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, graduating in 1987. While at Oxford, Greene also studied piano with the concert pianist Jack Gibbons.
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Brian Inglis
Brian Inglis (31 July 1916 – 11 February 1993) was an Irish journalist, historian and television presenter. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and retained an interest in Irish history and politics.
He was best known to people in Britain as the presenter of All Our Yesterdays, a television review of events exactly 25 years previously, as seen in newsreels, newspaper articles etc. He also presented the weekly review of newspapers known as What the Papers Say.
He joined the staff of The Spectator in 1954, and became editor in 1959, soon afterwards hiring the young Bernard Levin to write for the magazine. He continued as editor until 1962.
He also had interests in the paranormal, and alternatives to institutionalised medicine.
Inglis' friend and colleague Bill Grundy died on 9 February 1993. Inglis had just finished writing Grundy's obituary when he, too, died.
Brian Inglis was born into a middle-class professional Church of Ireland family (his father was an hydraulic engineer) in the closed society of Malahide, north County Dublin. He was a grandson of J. R. Blood and thus a likely descendant of Thomas Blood, stealer of the Crown Jewels. He found the life he was born into oppressive in its obsession with custom, style, privilege, respectability, and ostracism. Since the people around him were regarded as English invaders by the local Irish Catholics, and as Irish by society over in Britain, he felt alienated from, or was rejected by, everyone to whom he might claim a connection.
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C. S. Lewis
Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963), commonly referred to as C. S. Lewis and known to his friends and family as "Jack", was a novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian and Christian apologist from Belfast, Ireland. He is known for both his fictional work, especially The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy and his nonfiction, such as Mere Christianity, Miracles and The Problem of Pain.
Lewis and fellow novelist J. R. R. Tolkien were close friends. Both authors served on the English faculty at Oxford University, and both were active in the informal Oxford literary group known as the "Inklings". According to his memoir Surprised by Joy, Lewis had been baptised in the Church of Ireland (part of the Anglican Communion) at birth, but fell away from his faith during his adolescence. Owing to the influence of Tolkien and other friends, at the age of 32 Lewis returned to the Anglican Communion, becoming "a very ordinary layman of the Church of England". His faith had a profound effect on his work, and his wartime radio broadcasts on the subject of Christianity brought him wide acclaim.
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Charles Reade
Charles Reade (8 June 1814 – 11 April 1884) was an English novelist and dramatist, best known for The Cloister and the Hearth.
Charles Reade was born at Ipsden, Oxfordshire to John Reade and Anne Marie Scott-Waring; William Winwood Reade the influential historian, was his nephew. He studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, taking his B.A. in 1835, and became a fellow of his college. He was subsequently dean of arts and vice-president, taking his degree of D.C.L. in 1847. His name was entered at Lincoln's Inn in 1836; he was elected Vinerian Fellow in 1842, and was called to the bar in 1843. He kept his fellowship at Magdalen all his life, but after taking his degree he spent most of his time in London.
Reade began his literary career as a dramatist, and it was his own wish that the word "dramatist" should stand first in the description of his occupations on his tombstone. As an author, he always had an eye to stage effect in scene and situation as well as in dialogue. His first comedy, The Ladies' Battle, appeared at the Olympic Theatre in May 1851. It was followed by Angela (1851), A Village Tale (1852), The Lost Husband (1852), and Gold (1853). But Reade's reputation was made by the two-act comedy, Masks and Faces, in which he collaborated with Tom Taylor. It was produced in November 1852, and later was expanded into three acts. By the advice of the actress, Laura Seymour, he turned the play into a prose story which appeared in 1853 as Peg Woffington. He followed this up in the same year with Christie Johnstone, a close study of Scottish fisher folk. In 1854 he produced, in conjunction with Tom Taylor, Two Loves and a Life, and The King's Rival, and, unaided, The Courier of Lyons (well known under its later title, The Lyons Mail) and his adaptation of Tobias Smollett's Peregrine Pickle. In the next year appeared Art, afterwards known as Nance Oldfield.
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Chris Huhne
Christopher Murray Paul-Huhne, commonly known as Chris Huhne (English spelling pronunciation /ˈhjuːn/, born 2 July 1954) is a British politician and former cabinet minister, who is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire. He was appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in the coalition government following the 2010 general election. In February 2012 he became the first Cabinet minister in history to be forced from office by a criminal prosecution when he was charged with perverting the course of justice over a 2003 speeding case. Huhne has twice stood unsuccessfully for election as leader of the Liberal Democrats. In the 2006 election he came second to Sir Menzies Campbell and in the 2007 election he narrowly lost to Nick Clegg.
Huhne was born in an affluent section of West London to businessman Peter Paul-Huhne and actress Ann Murray, who had been the voice of the speaking clock. He was educated at the fee-paying Westminster School. His family name was Paul-Huhne and he was known all through his school years as Christopher Paul-Huhne. At Oxford, he simplified his name to "Chris Huhne".
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Christopher Derrick
This article is about Christopher Derrick the author. If you are looking for Christopher Derrick the runner please see Chris Derrick
Christopher Hugh Derrick (12 June 1921–2 October 2007) was an author, reviewer, publisher's reader and lecturer. All his works are informed by wide interest in contemporary problems and a lively commitment to Catholic teaching.
Christopher Derrick was born at Hungerford, the son of the artist, illustrator and cartoonist Thomas Derrick and his wife Margaret, née Clausen. He was educated at Douai School 1934-39, and at Magdalen College, Oxford, 1940 and 1945–47, his studies being interrupted by service in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. In 1943 he married Katharine Helen Sharratt, who graduated from Bedford College the same year. They had nine children, eight sons and a daughter. From 1953 to 1965 he was Printing Officer of the University of London, as well as working as a reader for Macmillan. Thereafter he worked independently as a literary adviser to various publishers, as a book reviewer, and as a writer and lecturer. He died on 2 October 2007 at the age of 86.
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Christopher Peacocke
Christopher Arthur Bruce Peacocke (born 22 May 1950, son of Arthur Peacocke) is a philosopher especially known for his work in philosophy of mind and epistemology. His recent publications, in the field of epistemology, have defended a version of rationalism.
He was educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford and Exeter College, Oxford, where he read Philosophy, Politics and Economics as an undergraduate, winning both the Webb Medley Prize in Economics and the Henry Wilde Prize in Philosophy in 1971, graduating with a first class degree. Later that year he was awarded a Kennedy Memorial Trust scholarship to study at Harvard University. He then continued at Oxford gaining a BPhil (1974) and DPhil (1979) in Philosophy, the latter under the supervision of Michael Dummett. He was Visiting Lecturer at University of California, Berkeley, 1975-6, and in 1975 elected to a fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford. He was the Susan Stebbing Professor of Philosophy at King's College London from 1985 to 1989 and Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at Oxford University from 1989 to 2000, at which time he moved to New York University (NYU). He is a professor of philosophy at Columbia University, and in 2008 he was named to the Richard Wollheim chair in philosophy at University College, London, where he will teach in the third (summer) term each year. He lives with his wife and two children.(1)
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Colin Blakemore
Professor Colin Blakemore, Ph.D., FRS, FMedSci, HonFSB, HonFRCP, is a British neurobiologist who is Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford and University of Warwick specialising in vision and the development of the brain. He was formerly Chief Executive of the British Medical Research Council (MRC). He is best known to the public as a communicator of science but also as the target of a long-running animal-rights campaign. According to The Observer, he has been both "one of the most powerful scientists in the [UK]" and "a hate figure for the animal rights movement".
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1944, he was educated at King Henry VIII School in Coventry and then won a state scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, England, where he gained a first-class degree in medical sciences, then completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Physiological Optics at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States, as a Harkness Fellow in 1968. From 1968 to 79 he was a Demonstrator and then Lecturer in Physiology at the University of Cambridge, and was also Director of Medical Studies at Downing College. From 1976 to 1979 he held the Royal Society Locke Research Fellowship.
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Daniel Quillen
Daniel Gray "Dan" Quillen (June 22, 1940 – April 30, 2011) was an American mathematician.
From 1984 to 2006, he was the Waynflete Professor of Pure Mathematics at Magdalen College, Oxford. He is renowned for being the "prime architect" of higher algebraic K-theory, for which he was awarded the Cole Prize in 1975 and the Fields Medal in 1978.
Quillen was born in Orange, New Jersey, and attended Newark Academy. He entered Harvard University, where he earned both his BA (1961) and his PhD (1964), the latter of which was completed under the supervision of Raoul Bott with a thesis in partial differential equations. He was a Putnam Fellow in 1959.[citation needed]
Quillen obtained a position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after completing his doctorate. However, he also spent a number of years at several other universities. This experience would prove to be important in influencing the direction of his research.[citation needed]
He visited France twice: first as a Sloan Fellow in Paris, during the academic year 1968–69, where he was greatly influenced by Grothendieck, and then, during 1973-74, as a Guggenheim Fellow. In 1969-70, he was a visiting member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where he came under the influence of Michael Atiyah. In 1978, Quillen received a Fields Medal at the International Congress of Mathematicians held in Helsinki.[citation needed]
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David Clary
David Clary, FRS is a British theoretical chemist. He has been President of Magdalen College, Oxford since 2005.
He attended Colchester Royal Grammar School from 1964–71. He has a BSc (1974) from the University of Sussex and a PhD (1977) and ScD (1997) from the University of Cambridge, where he was at Corpus Christi College. He undertook post-doctoral research at IBM, San Jose, California and the University of Manchester.
In 1980, he was appointed Lecturer at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). In 1983, he was appointed Lecturer and then Reader in Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge where he was Fellow and Senior Tutor of Magdalene College. In 1996, he was Director of the Centre for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry and Professor at University College London. In 2002, he moved to the University of Oxford where he was Head of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Professorial Fellow of St John's College.
Professor Clary was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his development of the quantum theory for chemical reactions. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Physical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the Institute of Physics; Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science. He has received several medals of the RSC, and the medal of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science.
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David Marquand
David Ian Marquand FBA, FRHistS, FRSA (born September 20, 1934) is a British academic and former Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP). The late film director Richard Marquand was his younger brother, and James Marquand is his nephew.
Born in Cardiff, Marquand was educated at Emanuel School, Magdalen College, Oxford, St. Antony’s College, Oxford, and at the University of California, Berkeley. His father was Hilary Marquand, also an academic and former Labour MP, and his younger brother was the film maker Richard Marquand.
Marquand’s writings are broadly based upon issues surrounding British politics and social democracy. He is widely linked to the term “progressive politics” and the concept of a “progressive dilemma” in British politics, although he has since distanced himself from the term (if not the ideas it represents).
He was the MP for Ashfield from 1966 to 1977, when he resigned his seat to work as Chief Advisor (from 1977 to 1978) to his mentor Roy Jenkins who had been appointed President of the European Commission.
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David Weatherall
Sir David John Weatherall (born 9 March 1933) is a British physician and researcher in molecular genetics, haematology, pathology and clinical medicine.
His research concentrated on the genetics of the haemoglobinopathies and, in particular, a group of inherited haematological disorders known as the thalassemias that are associated with abnormalities in the production of globin (the protein component of haemoglobin). Weatherall is one of the world's experts on the clinical and molecular basis of the thalassemias and the application of this information for the control and prevention of these diseases in the developing countries.
Early life and education David Weatherall was educated at Calday Grange Grammar School and then graduated from the Medical School at the University of Liverpool in 1956. After house staff training, he joined the Army for 2 years. Returning from military service, he took a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University before returning to Liverpool, where he rose to the rank of Professor of Haematology.
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Desmond Morris
Desmond John Morris FZS, born 24 January 1928 in Purton, north Wiltshire, is a British zoologist and ethologist, as well as a popular anthropologist. He is also known as a painter, television presenter and popular author.
Morris was educated at Dauntsey's School, an independent school in West Lavington, Wiltshire. After military service, he attended the University of Birmingham where he graduated in 1951 with a First Class Honours Degree in Zoology. In 1954, he was awarded a D.Phil. from Oxford University for his thesis on the Reproductive Behaviour of the Ten-spined Stickleback, supervised by Nobel Laureate Niko Tinbergen. He was employed by the Zoological Society of London as Curator of Mammals at the London Zoo, eventually leaving in 1966 in frustration about stagnation at the zoo.
Morris first came to public attention in the 1950s as a presenter of the ITV television programme Zoo Time, but achieved worldwide fame in 1967 with his book The Naked Ape. The book is an unabashed look at the human species, notable for its focus on humanity's animal-like qualities and our similarity with apes, and for explaining human behaviour as largely evolved to meet the challenges of prehistoric life as a hunter-gatherer. Reprinted many times and in many languages, it continues to be a best-seller.
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Dominic Grieve
Dominic Charles Roberts Grieve, QC MP (born 24 May 1956) is a British Conservative politician, barrister and Queen's Counsel.
He is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Beaconsfield and the Attorney General for England and Wales and the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.
Grieve was born in Lambeth, the son of Percy Grieve QC (the MP for Solihull 1964–83) and of an Anglo-French mother, Evelyn Raymonde Louise Mijouain. He was educated at the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle on Cromwell Road in South Kensington, Colet Court preparatory school in Barnes, Westminster School, and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he received a BA degree in Modern History in 1978. He was the President of the Oxford University Conservative Association in 1977.
He continued his studies at the Polytechnic of Central London (now the University of Westminster), where he received a Diploma in Law in 1979.
He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1980 and is a specialist in Occupational safety and health law. He was made a Bencher of the Middle Temple in 2005 and appointed a Queen's Counsel in 2008.
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Donald Adamson
Donald Adamson (born 30 March 1939 at Culcheth, Lancashire, now Cheshire) is a historian, biographer, philosophical writer, textual scholar, literary critic, and translator of French literature. The books he has written include "Blaise Pascal: Mathematician, Physicist and Thinker about God", and more recently "The Curriers' Company: A Modern History".
Adamson, elder son of Donald Adamson, a farmer, was born at Culcheth in 1939. He was brought up at Lymm, Cheshire, the county in which his mother's family has been resident for upwards of 500 years. From 1949 to 1956, he attended Manchester Grammar School, before becoming a Scholar of Magdalen College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. in 1959, proceeding M.A. in 1963. He was Zaharoff Travelling Scholar of the University of Oxford in 1959-1960. In 1962 he took the degree of B.Litt. (proceeding Master of Letters). Prior to graduating B.Litt. he had the privilege of studying under Pierre-Georges Castex at the University of Paris. His thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.), entitled "Balzac and the Visual Arts", was supervised by Jean Seznec of All Souls College, Oxford.
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Dudley Moore
Dudley Stuart John Moore, CBE (19 April 1935 – 27 March 2002) was an English actor, comedian, composer and musician.
Moore first came to prominence as one of the four writer-performers in the ground-breaking comedy revue Beyond the Fringe in the early 1960s, and then became famous as half of the highly popular television double-act he formed with Peter Cook.
His fame as a comedy film actor was later heightened by success in hit Hollywood films such as 10 with Bo Derek and Arthur in the late 1970s and early 1980s, respectively. He received an Oscar nomination for the latter role. He was frequently referred to in the media as "Cuddly Dudley" or "The Sex Thimble", a reference to his short stature and reputation as a "ladies' man".
Moore was born in Charing Cross Hospital, London, the son of Ada Francis (née Hughes), a secretary, and John Moore, a railway electrician. He was brought up in Dagenham, Essex. He was notably short: 5 ft 2.5 in (1.588 m) and was born with club feet that required extensive hospital treatment and which, coupled with his diminutive stature, made him the butt of jokes from other children. His right foot responded well to corrective treatment and had straightened itself by the time he was six, but his left foot became permanently twisted and consequently his left leg below the knee was withered. Seeking refuge from his problems, he became a choirboy at the age of six and took up piano and violin. He rapidly developed into a highly talented pianist and organist and was playing the pipe organ at church weddings by the age of 14. He attended Dagenham County High School (now The Sydney Russell School) where he received musical tuition from a dedicated teacher, Peter Cork. Cork became a friend and confidant to Moore, corresponding with him until 1994.
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Duncan Sandys
Duncan Edwin Sandys, Baron Duncan-SandysCH PC (24 January 1908 – 26 November 1987) was a British politician and a minister in successive Conservative governments in the 1950s and 1960s. He was for some years the son-in-law of Sir Winston Churchill.
Sandys was the son of George John Sandys, a Conservative member of parliament (1910–1918) and was educated at Eton College and Magdalen College, Oxford. He entered the diplomatic service in 1930, serving at the Foreign Office in London as well as at the embassy in Berlin.
He became Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Norwood in South London in a by-election in March 1935. In the same year, he married Diana Churchill, daughter of the future prime minister (after being opposed at Norwood by a candidate put up by Randolph Churchill).
In May 1935 he was in effect saying that Germany should have a predominant place in central Europe, so as to avoid clashing with Britain as an Imperial Power.
In 1938 Sandys asked questions in the House of Commons on matters of national security. He was subsequently approached by two unidentified men, presumably representing the secret services, and threatened with prosecution under section 6 of the Official Secrets Act 1920. Sandys reported the matter to the Committee of Privileges who held that the disclosures of Parliament were not subject to the legislation though an MP could be disciplined by the House. The Official Secrets Act 1939 was enacted in reaction to this incident.
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E. H. H. Green
Ewen Henry Harvey Green (October 16, 1958 − September 16, 2006), known as E.H.H. Green or Ewen Green, was a British historian famed for his work on 20th-century Britain and, in particular, the history of the 20th-century Conservative Party.
Born in Torbay and brought up in Brixham, he was educated at Churston Ferrers Grammar School where he developed his taste for history, which he went on to study at University College London where he was awarded the Derby studentship for the best first of 330 candidates. In 1980 he became a graduate student at St John's College, Cambridge, working on politics in the Edwardian period, before taking up a junior research fellowship at Brasenose College, Oxford in 1986.
In 1990, he went to Reading University before, in 1995, returning to Oxford as a tutor and fellow of Magdalen. For the university, he became a Lecturer in modern history, rising to the position of Reader in 2004.
His first book, The Crisis of Conservatism, focussed on the Edwardian period and appeared in 1995. His second book, Ideologies of Conservatism (2002), disclosed the unexpected long-term continuities in Conservative political thinking. His third, Thatcher (2006), examined the party in recent decades.
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E. M. Forster
Edward Morgan Forster OM, CH (1 January 1879 – 7 June 1970) was an English novelist, short story writer, essayist and librettist. He is known best for his ironic and well-plotted novels examining class difference and hypocrisy in early 20th-century British society. Forster's humanistic impulse toward understanding and sympathy may be aptly summed up in the epigraph to his 1910 novel Howards End: "Only connect."
Forster was born into an Anglo-Irish and Welsh middle-class family at 6 Melcombe Place, Dorset Square, London NW1, in a building that no longer exists. He was the only child of Alice Clara "Lily" (née Whichelo) and Edward Morgan Llewellyn Forster, an architect. His name was officially registered as Henry Morgan Forster, but at his baptism he was accidentally named Edward Morgan Forster. To distinguish him from his father, he was always called Morgan. His father died of tuberculosis on 30 October 1880, before Morgan's second birthday. Among Forster's ancestors were members of the religious Clapham Sect.
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Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon (27 April 1737 – 16 January 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. His most important work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788. The Decline and Fall is known for the quality and irony of its prose, its use of primary sources, and its open criticism of organized religion.
Edward Gibbon was born in 1737, the son of Edward and Judith Gibbon at Lime Grove, in the town of Putney, Surrey. He had six siblings: five brothers and one sister, all of whom died in infancy. His grandfather, also named Edward, had lost all of his assets as a result of the South Sea Bubble stock market collapse in 1720, but eventually regained much of his wealth, so that Gibbon's father was able to inherit a substantial estate.
As a youth, his health was under constant threat. He described himself as "a puny child, neglected by my Mother, starved by my nurse." At age nine, Gibbon was sent to Dr. Woddeson's school at Kingston upon Thames (now Kingston Grammar School), shortly after which his mother died. He then took up residence in the Westminster School boarding house, owned by his adored "Aunt Kitty," Catherine Porten. Soon after she died in 1786, he remembered her as rescuing him from his mother's disdain, and imparting "the first rudiments of knowledge, the first exercise of reason, and a taste for books which is still the pleasure and glory of my life." By 1751, Gibbon's reading was already extensive and certainly pointed toward his future pursuits: Laurence Echard's Roman History (1713), William Howel(l)'s An Institution of General History (1680–85), and several of the 65 volumes of the acclaimed Universal History from the Earliest Account of Time (1747–1768).
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Eric Berthoud
Sir Eric Alfred Berthoud KCMG, (10 December 1900 – 29 April 1989) was an oil man and diplomat who served as the British ambassador to Denmark (1952–1956) and Poland (1956–1960).
Berthoud was born in Kensington, London, the son of Alfred Edward Berthoud, a partner in the merchant bank Coulon, Berthoud & Co., and his wife, Hélène Christ, who was a member of a Swiss banking family. He was their second son and had three brothers and two sisters. While he was at school, his father's bank collapsed. His father was an alcoholic and died in 1920.
After five years at Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk, he went up to Magdalen College, Oxford. He played hockey for Oxford university and took a degree in Chemistry in 1922.
From 1922 to 1926, Berthoud worked for the Anglo-Austrian Bank in Vienna and Milan, then joined the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (later BP), serving in Paris from 1926 to 1929, in Berlin from 1929 to 1935, and then in Paris again from 1935 to 1938.
When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Berthoud joined the Ministry of Fuel and Power and was attached to the British legation in Bucharest. In January 1941, Britain broke off relations with Romania and the legation was closed. Berthoud spent the next four years on missions aimed at securing oil for the Allies.
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Erwin Schrödinger
Erwin Rudolf Josef Alexander Schrödinger (
/ˈʃroʊdɪŋər/; German: [ˈɛʁviːn ˈʃʁøːdɪŋɐ]; 12 August 1887 – 4 January 1961) was an Austrian born physicist and theoretical biologist who was one of the fathers of quantum mechanics, and is famed for a number of important contributions to physics, especially the Schrödinger equation, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933. In 1935 he proposed the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment.
In 1887 Schrödinger was born in Vienna, Austria to Rudolf Schrödinger (cerecloth producer, botanist) and Georgine Emilia Brenda (daughter of Alexander Bauer, Professor of Chemistry, Technische Hochschule Vienna).
His mother was half Austrian and half English; His father was Catholic and his mother was Lutheran. Despite having a religious background, he was later said to be an atheist.
In 1898 he attended the Akademisches Gymnasium. Between 1906 and 1910 Schrödinger studied in Vienna under Franz Serafin Exner(1849–1926) and Friedrich Hasenöhrl (1874–1915). He also conducted experimental work with Karl Wilhelm Friedrich "Fritz" Kohlrausch 1884–1953.
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Evelyn Waugh
Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh /ˈwɔː/ (28 October 1903 – 10 April 1966), known as Evelyn Waugh, was an English writer of novels, travel books and biographies. He was also a prolific journalist and reviewer. His best-known works include his early satires Decline and Fall (1928) and A Handful of Dust (1934), his novel Brideshead Revisited (1945) and his trilogy of Second World War novels collectively known as Sword of Honour (1952–61). Waugh is widely recognised as one of the great prose stylists of the 20th century.
The son of a publisher, Waugh was educated at Lancing and Hertford College, Oxford, and worked briefly as a schoolmaster before becoming a full-time writer. As a young man, he acquired many fashionable and aristocratic friends, and developed a taste for country house society that never left him. In the 1930s he travelled extensively, often as a special newspaper correspondent; he was reporting from Abyssinia at the time of the 1935 Italian invasion. He served in the British armed forces throughout the Second World War, first in the Royal Marines and later in the Royal Horse Guards. All these experiences, and the wide range of people he encountered, were used in Waugh's fiction, generally to humorous effect; even his own mental breakdown in the early 1950s, brought about by misuse of drugs, was fictionalised.
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Fernanda Eberstadt
Fernanda Eberstadt (born 1960 in New York City) is an American writer.
She is the daughter of two patrons of New York City's avant-garde, Frederick Eberstadt, a photographer and psychotherapist, and Isabel Eberstadt, a writer. Her paternal grandfather was Ferdinand Eberstadt, a Wall Street financier and adviser to presidents; her maternal grandfather was the poet Ogden Nash.
She went to the Brearley School in New York City. As a teenager, she worked at Andy Warhol's Factory and for Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her first published piece was a profile in Andy Warhol's "Interview" in 1979 of the travel writer Bruce Chatwin.
At age eighteen, Eberstadt moved to the United Kingdom, where she was one of the first women to attend Magdalen College, Oxford, from which she graduated in 1982.
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Geoffrey Warnock
Sir Geoffrey James Warnock (16 August 1923 – 8 October 1995) was a philosopher and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Before his knighthood (in the 1986 New Year Honours), he was commonly known as G. J. Warnock.
Warnock was born in Leeds, northern England and was educated at Winchester College. He then served with the Irish Guards until 1945, before entering New College, Oxford with a classics scholarship. He was elected to a Fellowship at Magdalen College, Oxford in 1949. After spending three years at Brasenose College, he returned to Magdalen as a Fellow and tutor in philosophy. In 1970, he was elected to Principal of Hertford College, Oxford (1971 to 1988), where there is now a society and student house named after him. He was also the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1981 to 1985.
Warnock married Mary Warnock, a philosophy fellow of St Hugh's College, Oxford and later Baroness Warnock, in 1949. They had two sons and three daughters. He retired to live near Marlborough, Wiltshire in 1988 and died in 1995 at Axford in Wiltshire.
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George Brandis
George Henry Brandis, SC (born 22 June 1957), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate representing Queensland since May 2000.
He was born in Sydney, but was raised in Brisbane, Queensland, where he now resides. He attended Villanova College and then the University of Queensland where he received a Bachelors degrees in Law and Arts (Politics), both with first class honours. Following his graduation he served as Associate to Justice Sheahan of the Queensland Supreme Court. He was then elected a Commonwealth Scholar and obtained a Bachelor in Civil Law from Magdalen College, University of Oxford, winning the Sir Rupert Cross Prize for Evidence.
Early in his career he was a Senior Tutor in jurisprudence at the University of Queensland.
He was called to the Queensland Bar in 1985 and quickly developed a large commercial practice with a particular emphasis on trade practices law. He appeared as junior counsel in the High Court of Australia in the important equity case Warman v Dwyer. He was also the junior barrister for the plaintiff in the long running Multigroup litigation in the Federal Court of Australia.
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George Osborne
George Gideon Oliver Osborne,MP (born 23 May 1971 in Paddington, London) is a British Conservative politician. He is the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, a role to which he was appointed in May 2010, and has been the Member of Parliament for Tatton since 2001.
Osborne is part of the old Anglo-Irish aristocracy, known in Ireland as the Ascendancy. He is the heir to the Osborne baronetcy (of Ballentaylor, in County Tipperary, and Ballylemon, in County Waterford).
He was educated at St Paul's School and Magdalen College, University of Oxford, before entering politics.
Osborne is the eldest of four sons. His father, Sir Peter Osborne, 17th Baronet, co-founded the firm of fabric and wallpapers designers Osborne & Little. His mother is Felicity Alexandra Loxton-Peacock, the daughter of artist Lady Clarisse Loxton Peacock.
Originally named Gideon Oliver, he changed his name to George when he was 13. In an interview in July 2005, Osborne said: "It was my small act of rebellion. I never liked it. When I finally told my mother she said, 'Nor do I'. So I decided to be George after my grandfather, who was a war hero. Life was easier as a George; it was a straightforward name."
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Gerald Thesiger
The Hon. Sir Gerald Alfred Thesiger MBE (born 25 December 1902, died 1981) was a British High Court Judge of the Queen's Bench Division between 1958 and 1978.
The son of Major-General George Handcock Thesiger and his wife Frances Fremantle, daughter of General Fitzroy William Fremantle, he was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, Magdalen College, Oxford (1922–1925), and the Inner Temple.
Thesiger's grandfather was Lt.-General the Hon. Charles Wemyss Thesiger, a younger son of a Lord Chancellor, Frederic Thesiger, 1st Baron Chelmsford.
The British general Frederic Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford, and the judge Alfred Henry Thesiger (one of the youngest Lords Justices of Appeal in history) were his great-uncles.
In 1926, he was admitted as a barrister. He was appointed Recorder of Rye in 1937.
During World War II, he was commissioned as a Major in the Office of the Judge Advocate General, and was appointed Recorder of Hastings in 1942. He was Mayor of Fulham, 1944 to 1946. He took silk as a King's Counsel in 1948 and was appointed Recorder of Southend-on-Sea in 1952. He became a Bencher of the Inner Temple in 1956 and served as a High Court Judge of the Queen's Bench Division between 1958 and 1978.
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Gilbert Ryle
Gilbert Ryle (19 August 1900, Brighton – 6 October 1976, Oxford), was a British philosopher, a representative of the generation of British ordinary language philosophers that shared Wittgenstein's approach to philosophical problems, and is principally known for his critique of Cartesian dualism, for which he coined the phrase "the ghost in the machine". Some of his ideas in the philosophy of mind have been referred to as "behaviourist." Ryle's best known book is The Concept of Mind (1949), in which he writes that the "general trend of this book will undoubtedly, and harmlessly, be stigmatised as 'behaviourist'." Ryle, having engaged in detailed study of the key works of Bernard Bolzano, Franz Brentano, Alexius Meinong, Edmund Husserl, and Martin Heidegger, himself suggested instead that the book "could be described as a sustained essay in phenomenology, if you are at home with that label."
Ryle was born in Brighton, England in 1900 and grew up in an environment of learning. His father was a Brighton doctor, a generalist who had interests in philosophy and astronomy, and passed on to his children an impressive library. Ryle was educated at Brighton College, and in 1919, he went up to Queen's College at Oxford, initially to study Classics but was quickly drawn to Philosophy. He would graduate with first class honours in 1924 and was appointed to a lectureship in Philosophy at Christ Church, Oxford. A year later, he was to become a tutor. Ryle remained at Christ Church until World War II.
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Giles Henderson
Giles Ian Henderson CBE, born 20 April 1942, is the present Master of Pembroke College, Oxford.
After school in South Africa at Michaelhouse, he graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a B.A degree and then from Magdalen College, Oxford, as Master of Arts and Bachelor of Civil Law. He received a Fulbright Award when he spent a year teaching at the Faculty of Law at University of California, Berkeley in 1966-67.
Henderson joined the leading London law firm of Slaughter and May in 1968 and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1970. He became a Partner in 1975 and was elected as the Senior Partner for the period 1993-2001. He was one of HM Government's main advisers on the process of privatisation. He was also a member of the Hampel Committee on Corporate Governance. He was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by HM The Queen in 1992
In 2001 he became Master of Pembroke College, Oxford. Between 2007 and 2009 he held the elected office of Chair of the Conference of Colleges in Oxford and is a member of the Council of the University. He is also Chairman of the Nuffield Medical Trust.
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Graham Higman
Graham Higman FRS (19 January 1917 – 8 April 2008) was a leading British mathematician. He is known for his contributions to group theory.
Higman was born in Louth, Lincolnshire and attended Sutton's Secondary School, Plymouth, winning a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford. In 1939 he co-founded The Invariant Society, the student mathematics society, and earned his PhD from the University of Oxford in 1941. His thesis, The units of group-rings, was written under the direction of J. H. C. Whitehead. From 1960 to 1984 he was the Waynflete Professor of Pure Mathematics at Magdalen College, Oxford.
Higman was awarded the Senior Berwick Prize in 1962 and the De Morgan Medal of the London Mathematical Society in 1974. He was the founder of the Journal of Algebra and its editor from 1964 to 1984.
He was also a local preacher in the Oxford Circuit of the Methodist Church. During the Second World War he was a conscientious objector, working at the Meteorological Office in Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.
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Grayston Ives
Grayston "Bill" Ives (born 1948) is a British composer, singer and choral director.
Until March 2009, Ives was Organist, Informator Choristarum and Fellow and Tutor in Music at Magdalen College, Oxford. In this role he was responsible for the daily musical life of the college chapel. He also directed the choir in recordings on the Harmonia Mundi label, including With a Merrie Noyse made with the viol consort Fretwork and featuring the works of the English composer Orlando Gibbons, for which the choir were nominated for a Grammy award. The choristers of Magdalen College Choir recorded on Sir Paul McCartney's Ecce cor Meum which won the Classical BRIT Award for Album of the Year. His recordings with Magdalen Choir include a selection of his own liturgical works, Listen Sweet Dove, a disc of Durufle's Requiem and a Christmas CD, Carols By Candlelight.
Ives was a chorister at Ely Cathedral and later studied music at Cambridge University where he held a choral scholarship at Selwyn College. After teaching music for a period, he became a member of the King's Singers, from 1978 to 1985. His voice can be heard on a number of recordings from that period, including Paul McCartney's Frog Chorus. Ives composes as Grayston, but prefers to be known as "Bill", a nickname he acquired at school as a result of a role-playing game with his brother.
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Harry Christophers
Harry Christophers (born 26 December 1953, Goudhurst, Kent) is an English conductor.
Christophers attended the King's School, Canterbury and was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral under choirmaster Allan Wicks and played clarinet in the school orchestra alongside Andrew Marriner. He has cited as his childhood musical influences the Rolling Stones, Brahms, Mahler, Stravinsky and Jethro Tull.
Christophers became an academical clerk at Magdalen College, Oxford, studying classics for two years before beginning his musical career. He spent six years as a lay vicar at Westminster Abbey and then time as a member of the Clerks of Oxenford and three years in the BBC Singers.
Christophers founded the vocal ensemble The Sixteen during this time in 1979. He has directed The Sixteen and its orchestra throughout Europe, America and the Far East, becoming recognised for his work in Renaissance, Baroque and 20th century music. With The Sixteen he has conducted recordings for CORO (The Sixteen's own label) and other labels including Hyperion Records, UCJ and Virgin Classics. Several recordings have received honours such as a Grand Prix du Disque and a Midem award for Handel's Messiah, numerous Schallplattenkritik, the Gramophone Award for Early Music and the Classical Brit Award 2005 for the disc Renaissance. The Sixteen's 2009 recording of Handel's Coronation Anthems earned a Classic FM Gramophone Award in the Baroque Vocal category as well as Artist of the Year honors for Christophers and The Sixteen. The recording also earned Christophers a Grammy nomination for Best Choral Performance.
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Harvey Whitehouse
Harvey Whitehouse is an anthropologist and a leading figure in the cognitive science of religion. Professor Whitehouse holds a Statutory Chair in Social Anthropology at the University of Oxford and is a Professorial Fellow of Magdalen College. He is also the Director of the Centre for Anthropology and Mind at the University of Oxford.
Whitehouse received his B.A. Degree in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics in 1985. He completed his PhD in Anthropology at the University of Cambridge in 1990 under the supervision of Ernest Gellner and Gilbert Lewis.
After carrying out two years of field research on a 'cargo cult' in New Britain, Papua New Guinea in the late nineties, he developed a theory of ‘modes of religiosity’ that has been the subject of extensive critical evaluation and testing by anthropologists, historians, archaeologists, and cognitive scientists.
The modes of religiosity theory seeks to explain the role of ritual in group formation and social and cultural evolution. Two modes are distinguished: imagistic and doctrinal. In the imagistic mode, important rituals are infrequent, highly emotionally arousing, and tend to generate tight knit local groups with low levels of orthodoxy and dynamic leadership. In the doctrinal mode, rituals are frequent, relatively tame, and produce larger, anonymous but expandable communities with higher levels of orthodoxy and dynamic leadership.
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Henry Sacheverell
Henry Sacheverell (1674 – 5 June 1724) was an English High Church clergyman and politician.
The son of Joshua Sacheverell, rector of St Peter's, Marlborough, he was adopted by his godfather, Edward Hearst, and his wife, and was sent to Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1689. He was a student there until 1701 and a fellow from 1701 to 1713. Joseph Addison, another native of Wiltshire, had entered the same college two years earlier; he later dedicated to Sacheverell his work on English poets (1694). Sacheverell took his degree of B.A. in 1693, and became M.A. in 1695 and D.D. in 1708. His first preferment was the small vicarage of Cannock in Staffordshire; but he came to fame when preacher at St Saviour's, Southwark.
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Henry VII of England
Henry VII (Welsh: Harri Tudur; 28 January 1457 – 21 April 1509) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor.
Henry won the throne when he defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of England to win his throne on the field of battle. He was successful in restoring the power and stability of the English monarchy after the political upheavals of the Wars of the Roses. He founded a long-lasting dynasty and, after a reign of nearly 24 years, was peacefully succeeded by his son, Henry VIII.
Although Henry can be credited with the restoration of political stability in England, and a number of commendable administrative, economic and diplomatic initiatives, the latter part of his reign was characterised by a financial rapacity which stretched the bounds of legality. According to the contemporary historian Polydore Vergil, simple "greed" in large part underscored the means by which royal control was over-asserted in Henry's final years.
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Hormuzd Rassam
Hormuzd Rassam (1826 – 16 September 1910) (Syriac: ܗܪܡܙܕ ܪܣܐܡ), was a native Assyrian Assyriologist, British diplomat and traveller who made a number of important discoveries, including the clay tablets that contained the Epic of Gilgamesh, the world's oldest literature. Even though he became a British citizen later in his life he can be accepted to be the first known Assyrian, Ottoman and Middle Eastern archaeologist.
Rassam, an ethnic Assyrian, was born in Mosul, then part of the Ottoman Empire, (now modern Iraq) into a Chaldean Catholic and Assyrian Church of the East family. His father Anton Rassam was from Mosul and was archdeacon in the Assyrian Church of the East; his mother Theresa was daughter of Ishaak Halabee of Aleppo, Syria. When he was 20 years old, he was hired by British archaeologist A.H. Layard as a pay master at a nearby dig site. Layard, who was in Mosul on his first expedition (1845–1847), was impressed by the hard-working Rassam and took him under his wing; they would remain friends for life. Layard provided an opportunity for Rassam to travel to England and study at Oxford (Magdalen College), where he stayed for 18 months before accompanying Layard on his second expedition to Iraq (1849–1851).
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Howard Walter Florey
Howard Walter Florey, Baron Florey OM FRS (24 September 1898 – 21 February 1968) was an Australian pharmacologist and pathologist who shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 with Sir Ernst Boris Chain and Sir Alexander Fleming for his role in the making of penicillin. Florey's discoveries are estimated to have saved over 6 million lives, in Australia. Florey is regarded by the Australian scientific and medical community as one of its greatest scientists. Sir Robert Menzies, Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister, said that "in terms of world well-being, Florey was the most important man ever born in Australia".
Born the youngest of five children in Adelaide, South Australia, Howard Florey was educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide, where he was a brilliant student and junior sportsman. He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide from 1917 to 1921. At the university he met Ethel Reed, another medical student, who became both his wife and his research colleague. A Rhodes Scholar, he continued his studies at Magdalen College, Oxford, receiving the degrees of BA and MA. In 1926 he was elected to a fellowship at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and a year later he received the degree of PhD from the University of Cambridge.
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Hugh Boulter
Hugh Boulter (4 January 1672 – 27 September 1742) was the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh, the Primate of All Ireland, from 1724 until his death. He also served as the chaplain to George I from 1719.
Boulter was born in London and was educated at Merchant Taylors' School before attending Christ Church, Oxford. However, after only a year at Christ Church he transferred to Magdalen College.
After leaving the university in 1700 Boulter served as a chaplain to several prominent individuals, including Sir Charles Hedges, the Secretary of State for the North, and Thomas Tenison, the Archbishop of Canterbury, before being awarded his D.D. in 1708.
After spending seven years working as a rector, Boulter was appointed as the archdeacon of Surrey in 1715. In 1719 Boulter was announced as the successor to George Smalridge as both the dean of Christ Church college and as the bishop of Bristol. Boulter was controversially offered the primacy of the Church of Ireland in 1724, William King, as Archbishop of Dublin the natural successor to the title, being passed over due to his opposition to the Toleration Act. As Archbishop of Armagh Boulter was a keen supporter of the so-called English interest, the filling of top judicial, political, and ecclesiastical posts in Ireland with Englishmen in order to maintain English power in the country, a position that made him unpopular in Ireland.
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Ian Hislop
Ian David Hislop (born 13 July 1960) is a British journalist, satirist, comedian, writer, broadcaster and editor of the magazine Private Eye. He has appeared on many radio and television programmes, but is best known as a team captain on the BBC quiz show Have I Got News for You.
Hislop was born on 13 July 1960 in Mumbles, Swansea, to a Scottish father, David Hislop, and a Channel Islander mother of English descent, Helen Rosemarie née Beddows.
Hislop did not know his grandparents. His paternal grandfather, David Murdoch Hislop, died just before he was born. He was Scottish and became a deacon at a Presbyterian church and a school headteacher at Newton Academy in Ayr. In the First World War he fought in Northern France with the 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry.
Hislop's maternal grandfather, William Beddows, was originally from Lancashire. He joined the British Army in 1895 and fought in the Second Boer War with the King's Own Royal Regiment, and served in major campaigns including the Battle of Spion Kop. He moved to Jersey to serve as a Sergeant, having signed up in 1906 for another ten years in the army.
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James Fenton
James Martin Fenton (born 25 April 1949, Lincoln) is an English poet, journalist and literary critic. He is a former Oxford Professor of Poetry.
Born in Lincoln, Fenton grew up in Lincolnshire and Staffordshire, the son of Canon John Fenton, a noted biblical scholar. He was educated at the Durham Choristers School, Repton and Magdalen College, Oxford. He graduated with a B.A. in 1970.
Fenton acquired at school an enthusiasm for the work of W.H. Auden. At Oxford John Fuller, who happened to be writing A Reader's Guide to W.H. Auden at the time, further encouraged that enthusiasm. Auden became possibly the greatest single influence on Fenton's own work.
In his first year at university Fenton won the Newdigate Prize for his sonnet sequence Our Western Furniture. Later published by Fuller's Sycamore Press, it largely concerns the cultural collision in the 19th century between the United States and Japan. It displays in embryo many of the characteristics that define Fenton's later work: technical mastery combined with a fascination with issues that arise from the Western interaction with other cultures. Our Western Furniture was followed by Exempla, notable for its frequent use of unfamiliar words, as well as commonplace words employed in an unfamiliar manner.
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James Richard Atkin
James Richard Atkin, Baron Atkin (28 November 1867 – 25 June 1944) was a lawyer and judge of Australian-Welsh origin, who practised in England and Wales. He always thought of himself as a Welshman, and was President of the London Welsh Trust from 1938 to 1944.
His parents were Robert Travers Atkin (1841–1872) and his wife, Mary Elizabeth née Ruck (born 1842). Robert was from Kilgariff, County Cork, Mary's father from Newington, Shepway and her mother from Merioneth, Wales. The couple married in 1864 and soon emigrated to Australia intending to take up sheep farming. However, little more than a year into their enterprise Robert was badly injured in a fall from a horse and the couple moved to Brisbane where Robert became a journalist and politician. James was born in Brisbane, the eldest of three sons but in 1871, his mother brought him and his siblings back to her own mother's house, "Pantlludw" on the River Dovey in Wales. His father died in Australia in the following year. James was much influenced by his grandmother and acquired from her an egalitarian instinct and a distaste for sanctimonious posturing.
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James Whitbourn
James Whitbourn (born 17 August 1963) is a British composer and conductor.
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John Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE ( /ˈbɛtʃəmən/; 28 August 1906 – 19 May 1984) was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".
He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture. Starting his career as a journalist, he ended it as one of the most popular British Poets Laureate to date and a much-loved figure on British television.
Betjeman was born "John Betjemann"; this was changed to the less German "Betjeman" during the First World War. His parents, Mabel (née Dawson) and Ernest Betjemann had a family firm which manufactured the kind of ornamental household furniture and gadgets distinctive to Victorians. His father's forebears had come from the Netherlands, more than a century earlier, setting up their home and business in Islington, London. Betjeman was baptised at St. Anne's Church Highgate Rise, a 19th Century church situated just at the foot of Highgate West Hill. The family lived at Parliament Hill Mansions in the Lissenden Gardens private estate in Highgate in North London.
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John Carew Eccles
Sir John Carew Eccles, AC FRSFRACP FRSNZ FAAS (27 January 1903 – 2 May 1997) was an Australian neurophysiologist who won the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the synapse. He shared the prize with Andrew Huxley and Alan Lloyd Hodgkin.
Eccles was born in Melbourne, Australia. He grew up there with his two sisters and his parents: William and Mary Carew Eccles (both teachers, who home schooled him until he was 12). He initially attended Warrnambool High School (now Warrnambool College) (where a science wing is named in his honour), then completed his final year of schooling at Melbourne High School. Aged 17, he was awarded a senior scholarship to study medicine at the University of Melbourne. As a medical undergraduate, he was never able to find a satisfactory explanation for the interaction of mind and body; he started to think about becoming a neuroscientist. He graduated (with first class honours) in 1925, and was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study under Charles Scott Sherrington at Magdalen College, Oxford University, where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in 1929.
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John Fastolf
Sir John Fastolf KG (c. 1378 – 5 November 1459) was an English knight during the Hundred Years War, who has enjoyed a more lasting reputation as in some part being the prototype of Shakespeare's Sir John Falstaff. Many historians consider, however, that he deserves to be famous in his own right, not only as a soldier, but as a patron of literature, a writer on strategy and perhaps as an early industrialist.
He was son of a Norfolk gentleman, Sir John Fastolf of Caister-on-Sea, and is said to have been squire to Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, before 1398, serving with Earl Thomas of Lancaster in Ireland during 1405 and 1406. He claimed to have visited Jerusalem, as a boy, which must have been in the company of Henry Bolingbroke, later Henry IV of England. The Fastolf family are recorded at Great Yarmouth since the thirteenth century: notable members in earlier generations include Thomas Fastolf, Bishop of St Davids and his brother Nicholas Fastolf , Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.
On 13 January 1409, he married Millicent, widow of Sir Stephen Scrope of Castle Combe in Wiltshire. This marriage brought him an income of £240 per annum, a considerable sum.
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John Florio
John Florio (1553–1625), known in Italian as Giovanni Florio, was a linguist and lexicographer, a royal language tutor at the Court of James I, and a possible friend and influence on William Shakespeare. He was also the translator of Montaigne into English.
Born in London, John Florio was of Anglo-Italian origin. He referred to himself as "an Englishman in Italiane". John's father, Michelangelo Florio, born in Tuscany, had been a Franciscan friar before converting to the Protestant faith. He got into trouble with the Inquisition in Italy, after preaching in Naples, Padua, and Venice. Seeking refuge in England during the reign of Edward VI, he was appointed pastor of the Italian Protestant congregation in London in 1550. He was also a member of the household of William Cecil. He was dismissed from both on a charge of immorality, but William Cecil later fully forgave him.
Michelangelo Florio then became Italian tutor to Lady Jane Grey and in the family of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke, father of Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke who would become the husband of Mary Sidney, sister of Philip Sidney. He dedicated a book to Henry Herbert and Jane Grey, his highest-ranking pupils: Regole de la lingua thoscana (Rules of the Tuscan language). Lady Jane Grey's youth, faith, and death affected him deeply and later, in seclusion, in Soglio in Switzerland, he wrote a book about her life. It was only published in 1607 but written around 1561/1562. He describes her as a martyr and innocent "saint". It is possible that he had witnessed some of the events surrounding her or had told her about the persecutions in Italy.
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John Fuller (poet)
John Fuller (born 1 January 1937) is an English poet and author, and Fellow Emeritus at Magdalen College, Oxford.
Fuller was born in Ashford, Kent, England, the son of poet and Oxford Professor Roy Fuller, and educated at St Paul's School and New College, Oxford. He began teaching in 1962 at the State University of New York, then continued at the University of Manchester. From 1966–2002 he was a Fellow and tutor of Magdalen College, Oxford; he is now Fellow Emeritus.
He has published 15 collections of poetry, including Stones and Fires (1996), Now and for a Time (2002) and the recent Song and Dance (2008). Chatto and Windus published a Collected Poems in 1996(1).His novel Flying to Nowhere (1983), a historical fantasy, won the Whitbread First Novel Award, and was nominated for the Booker Prize. In 1996 he won the Forward Prize for Stones and Fires and in 2006 the Michael Braude Award for Light Verse. He has also written collections of short stories and several books for children. His poem Ship of Sounds, illustrated with a wood engraving by the artist Garrick Palmer, was published in 1981 in an edition of 130 by Gruffyground Press.
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John Lyly
John Lyly (Lilly or Lylie) (c. 1553 or 1554 – November 1606) was an English writer, poet, dramatist, playwright, and politician, best known for his books Euphues, The Anatomy of Wit (1578) and Euphues and His England (1580). Lyly's literary style, originating in his first books, is known as Euphuism.
John Lyly was born in Kent, England, in 1553/1554, to Peter Lyly (d. 1569) and his wife, Jane Burgh (or Brough), of Burgh Hall in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The first of eight children, he was probably born in Canterbury, where his father was the Registrar for the Archbishop Matthew Parker and where the births of his siblings are recorded between 1562 and 1568. His grandfather was William Lily, the well-known grammarian.
According to Anthony Wood, at the age of 16 Lyly became a student at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1573 and his master's two years later. In 1574 he applied to Lord Burghley for the Queen's letters to admit him as fellow at Magdalen College, but the fellowship was not granted, and Lyly subsequently left the university. He complains about a sentence of rustication apparently passed on him at some time, in his address to the gentlemen scholars of Oxford affixed to the second edition of the first part of Euphues, but nothing more is known about either its date or its cause. If we are to believe Wood, Lyly never took kindly to the proper studies of the university. "For so it was that his genius being naturally bent to the pleasant paths of poetry (as if Apollo had given to him a wreath of his own bays without snatching or struggling) did in a manner neglect academical studies, yet not so much but that he took the degrees in arts, that of master being compleated 1575."
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John Scarlett
Sir John McLeod Scarlett, KCMG, OBE (born 18 August 1948) was Director General of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) from 2004 to 2009. Prior to this appointment, he had chaired the Cabinet Office Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC).
Fluent in French and Russian, Scarlett was educated at Epsom College and Magdalen College, Oxford where in 1969 or 1970 he received a first class degree in history. He was a contemporary of figures including Christopher Hitchens, Robert Jackson, William Waldegrave, Edwina Currie, Stephen Milligan, John Redwood, William Blair, Bill Clinton and Gyles Brandreth. Shortly afterward, he was recruited by MI6 and served in Moscow, Nairobi (1973–1976), and Paris. In 1994, after a tit-for-tat row between the UK and Russian authorities, Scarlett was expelled from Moscow where he had been MI6's "station chief". He retired from MI6 as Director of Security and Public Affairs in 2001.
Scarlett took on the role of head of the JIC one week before the September 11 attacks.
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John Turner
John Napier Wyndham Turner, PC, CC, QC (born June 7, 1929) is an English Canadian lawyer and retired politician, who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Canada from June 30 to September 17, 1984.
In his political career, Turner held several prominent Cabinet posts, including minister of justice and minister of finance, under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau from 1968 to 1975. Amid a world recession and the prospect of having to implement the unpopular wage and price controls, Turner surprisingly resigned his position in 1975. After a hiatus from politics from 1975 to 1984, Turner returned and successfully contested the Liberal leadership. Turner held the office of Prime Minister for 79 days (the second shortest tenure in Canadian history after Charles Tupper), as he dissolved Parliament immediately after being sworn in as Prime Minister, and went on to lose the 1984 election in a landslide. Turner stayed on as Liberal leader and headed the Official Opposition for the next six years, leading his party to a modest recovery in the 1988 campaign, resigning from politics in 1990.
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Jon Stallworthy
Jon (Howie) Stallworthy (born 18 January 1935 in London) FBA FRSL is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Oxford. He is also a Fellow and (twice) Acting President of Wolfson College, a poet, and literary critic.
Stallworthy's parents, John Arthur and Margaret Stallworthy, were from New Zealand and moved to England in 1934. Stallworthy started writing poems when he was only seven years old. He was educated at the Dragon School, Rugby School and at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he won the Newdigate prize. His works include seven volumes of poetry, and biographies of Wilfred Owen and Louis MacNeice. He has edited several anthologies and is particularly known for his work on war poetry.
While researching the local history of New Zealand Stallworthy discovered an obscure volume entitled Early Northern Wairoa written by his great-grandfather, John Stallworthy (1854-1923), in 1916. From this book he learned that his great-great-grandfather, George Stallworthy (1809-1859), had left his birthplace of Preston Bissett in Buckinghamshire, England, for the Marquesas as a missionary. This discovery led in turn to him finding family-related letters in the archives of the London Missionary Society. Stallworthy's book A Familiar Tree (Oxford University Press, 1978) is a collection of poetry inspired by events depicted in these documents. Singing School is an autobiography which emphasises Stallworthy's development as a poet.
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Julian Barnes
Julian Patrick Barnes (born 19 January 1946) is a contemporary English writer. Winner of the 2011 Man Booker Prize, for his book The Sense of an Ending, three of his earlier books had been shortlisted for the Booker Prize: Flaubert's Parrot (1984), England, England (1998), and Arthur & George (2005). He has also written crime fiction under the pseudonym Dan Kavanagh (his late wife's surname).
Barnes is one of the best-loved English writers in France, where he has won several literary prizes, including the Prix Médicis for Flaubert's Parrot and the Prix Femina for Talking It Over. He is an officer of L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Barnes was born in Leicester although his family moved to the outer suburbs of London six weeks afterwards. Both of his parents were teachers of French. He has said that his support for Leicester City Football Club was, aged four or five, "a sentimental way of hanging on" to his home city. He was educated at the City of London School from 1957 to 1964. At the age of 10, Barnes was told by his mother that he had "too much imagination". As an adolescent he lived in Northwood, Middlesex, the 'Metroland' of which he named his first novel. He then went on to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied Modern Languages. After graduation, he worked as a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary supplement for three years. He then worked as a reviewer and literary editor for the New Statesman and the New Review. During his time at the New Statesman, Barnes suffered from debilitating shyness, saying: "When there were weekly meetings I would be paralysed into silence, and was thought of as the mute member of staff". From 1979 to 1986 he worked as a television critic, first for the New Statesman and then for The Observer.
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K. B. McFarlane
Kenneth Bruce McFarlane (1903–1966) was one of the 20th century's most influential historians of late medieval England. He was born on 18 October 1903 and was the only child of A. McFarlane, OBE. His father was a civil servant in the Admiralty and the young McFarlane's childhood was an unhappy one. This may have led to the deep melancholy that seemed to pervade much of his adult life. His family sent him to public school at Dulwich College as a "day-boy." McFarlane did not particularly like the atmosphere of the public school. In 1922 he earned a scholarship to read history at Exeter College Oxford. His tutor during these years was C. T. Atkinson. McFarlane became a fellow of Magdalen College in 1927, where he remained for the rest of his life. Many of his colleagues and students found him difficult to approach, but for those who could break through the facade he became a great and true friend. McFarlane also found through the help of his great friend Dr. Helena Wright and her family a home and a family of sorts. In Wright's house he found that he could be himself, find refuge from the daily grind of the University, and a place of joy. McFarlane never married.
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Katie Mitchell
Katrina Jane Mitchell OBE (born 1964) is an English theatre director. She is an Associate of the Royal National Theatre.
Mitchell was raised in Hermitage, Berkshire and educated at Oakham School. Upon leaving Oakham she went up to Magdalen College, Oxford to read English. She is particularly inspired by Eastern European theatre and by choreographers such as Pina Bausch and Siobhan Davies.
She began her career behind the scenes at the King's Head Theatre in London before taking on work as an assistant director at theatre companies including Paines Plough and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Early in her career she directed a number of early productions under the umbrella of her company Classics On A Shoestring.
In 1997 Mitchell became responsible for programming at the Other Place — the RSC's now defunct black box space. While at the RSC her productions included The Phoenician Women which won her the Evening Standard Award for Best Director in 1996.
Mitchell staged a new production of Luigi Nono's Al gran sole carico d'amore for the Salzburg Festival in 2009, and a new production of Parthenogenesis at the Royal Opera House in June 2009. Her frequent collaborators include writer Martin Crimp and designer Vicki Mortimer.
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Keith Joseph
Keith Sinjohn Joseph, Baron Joseph, Bt, CH, PC (17 January 1918 – 10 December 1994), was a British barrister and politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Cabinet under three Prime Ministers (Harold Macmillan, Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher), and is widely regarded to have been the "power behind the throne" in the creation of what came to be known as "Thatcherism". He was known for most of his political life as Sir Keith Joseph, 2nd Baronet.
Joseph was the son of a wealthy and influential Jewish family. His father, Samuel Joseph, an active political kingmaker, headed the vast family construction and development-finance company, Bovis, and was Lord Mayor of London in 1942–43. At the end of his term he was created a baronet.
On the death of his father on 4 October 1944, 26-year-old Keith inherited the baronetcy.
Joseph was educated at Lockers Park School in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, followed by Harrow School in Harrow in north-west London, and Magdalen College at the University of Oxford, where he studied Jurisprudence, obtaining first class honours. Shortly thereafter he was elected a Fellow of All Souls College.
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Kenneth Baker
Kenneth Wilfred Baker, Baron Baker of Dorking,CH, PC (born 3 November 1934), is a British politician, a former Conservative MP and a Life Member of the Tory Reform Group.
Born in Newport, Monmouthshire, son of a civil servant, he was educated at the former Hampton Grammar School, a boys' voluntary aided school, now Hampton School, an independent school, between 1946 and 1948, and thereafter at St Paul's School, a boys' independent school in Barnes, London and at Magdalen College, Oxford where he graduated with a BA Degree in Law (1958) and four years later his MS degree in International Law and Regulations (1962). He did National Service as an army lieutenant and worked for Royal Dutch Shell before being elected as a Member of Parliament at a by-election in March 1968.
Kenneth Baker was first elected to Parliament when he won Acton in Ealing, London, at a March 1968 by-election, gaining it from Labour following the death of Bernard Floud. However, in the 1970 general election, he was defeated by Labour's Nigel Spearing (the seat was later regained by Sir George Young who held it until 1997 and who is now MP for North-West Hampshire). Following the surprise Conservative victory in 1970, a suitable Lord Chancellor had to be found- this was Quintin McGarel Hogg who was given the necessary peerage, removing him from the Commons and making him a member of the Lords. At the ensuing by-election, held on 22 October 1970, Baker was elected for the safe Conservative seat of St Marylebone in central London. In 1983, this seat was abolished and Baker was defeated by Peter Brooke for the new seat of Cities of London & Westminster; however, he relocated to Mole Valley, a rural seat in Surrey, and safely Tory, which he held until his retirement in 1997. He was succeeded by Sir Paul Beresford.
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King Edward VIII
Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David; later The Duke of Windsor; 23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.
Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay. As a young man, he served in the British Armed Forces during the First World War and undertook several foreign tours on behalf of his father, George V. He was associated with a succession of older, married women but remained unmarried until after his abdication as king.
Edward became king when his father died in early 1936. Only months into his reign, he caused a constitutional crisis by proposing marriage to the American socialite Wallis Simpson, who had divorced her first husband and was seeking a divorce from her second. The prime ministers of the United Kingdom and the Dominions opposed the marriage, arguing that the people would never accept a divorced woman with two living ex-husbands as queen. Additionally, such a marriage would have conflicted with Edward's status as head of the Church of England, which opposed the remarriage of divorced people if their former spouses were still alive. Edward knew that the government led by British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin would resign if the marriage went ahead, which could have dragged the king into a general election and would ruin his status as a politically neutral constitutional monarch. Rather than end his relationship with Simpson, Edward abdicated. He was succeeded by his younger brother Albert, who chose the regnal name George VI. With a reign of 326 days, Edward was one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in British and Commonwealth history. He was never crowned.
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Laurence Dreyfus
Laurence Dreyfus, FBA (born 1952) is a Bach scholar. He was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and attended Cherry Hill High School West in New Jersey. He earned a B.A., Yeshiva U., studied cello under Leonard Rose, at the Juilliard School, later reading Musicology at the Columbia University (Ph.D.). Commuting from New York, he studied Viol with Wieland Kuijken, earning two diplomas from the Brussels Conservatoire.
In 1995, he became Thurston Dart Professor of the Faculty of Music, in King's College London. In 2002, he became a Fellow of the British Academy.
Dreyfus is a noted scholar of both J. S. Bach and Richard Wagner. He has published three books under Harvard University press: Bach's Continuo Group (1986), Bach and the Patterns of Invention (1996) (which won the Kinkeldey Award from the American Musicological Society) and Wagner and the Erotic Impulse (2010).
Dreyfus is also an expert performer. He founded the viol consort Phantasm, which went on to win a Gramophone Award in 1997 for their performance of Purcell's Fantasies.
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Lord Alfred Douglas
Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas (22 October 1870 – 20 March 1945), nicknamed Bosie, was a British author, poet and translator, better known as the intimate friend and lover of the writer Oscar Wilde. Much of his early poetry was Uranian in theme, though he tended, later in life, to distance himself from both Wilde's influence and his own role as a Uranian poet.
The third son of John Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry and his first wife, Sibyl née Montgomery, Douglas was born at Ham Hill House in Worcestershire. He was his mother's favourite child; she called him Bosie (a derivative of Boysie), a nickname which stuck for the rest of his life.
Douglas was educated at Winchester College (1884–88) and at Magdalen College, Oxford (1889–93), which he left without obtaining a degree. At Oxford, Douglas edited an undergraduate journal The Spirit Lamp (1892-3), an activity that intensified the constant conflict between him and his father. Their relationship had always been a strained one and during the Queensberry-Wilde feud, Douglas sided with Wilde, even encouraging him to prosecute his own father for libel. In 1893, Douglas had a brief affair with George Ives.
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Malcolm Fraser
John Malcolm Fraser AC, CH, GCL, PC ( /ˈfreɪzə/; born 21 May 1930) is a former Australian Liberal Party politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. He came to power in 1975 through the dismissal of the Whitlam Labor government, in which he played a key role. After three election victories, he was defeated by Bob Hawke in the 1983 election and ended his career alienated from his own party.
Malcolm Fraser was born in Toorak to a family with a history of involvement in politics and the pastoral/grazing industry. His grandfather, Simon Fraser, emigrated from Nova Scotia in 1853, becoming a successful pastoralist and speculator, as well as a member of the Victorian Parliament, the Federation Conventions of 1897–98 and the Australian Senate. Malcolm Fraser's father, John Neville Fraser, was a pastoralist at Deniliquin in the Riverina region of New South Wales and later at a property called "Nareen", near Hamilton in the Western District of Victoria. Malcolm Fraser's mother, Una Woolf, was of Jewish descent on her own father's side.
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Martha Lane Fox
Martha Lane Fox (born 10 February 1973) is an English businesswoman and charity trustee, who has been engaged as a public servant chairperson on various e-commerce projects and investigations. A board member of Channel 4, mydeco.com and Marks & Spencer, she co-founded Lastminute.com, an icon of the dotcom boom of the early 2000s.
Born in Oxford, Lane Fox is the daughter of author and classical historian Robin Lane Fox. She was educated at Oxford High School, Westminster School and Magdalen College, Oxford, where she read ancient and modern history.
After university she showed interest in acting and prison governorship but joined the consulting firm Spectrum, involved in IT and media companies. Her first project was for British Telecom called "What is the Internet ?", here she met fellow employee Brent Hoberman.
In 1998, Lane Fox and Hoberman founded Lastminute.com, an online travel and gift business that generated great publicity, becoming an icon of the UK internet boom and floating at the peak of the dot-com bubble. On 20 November 2003, it was announced that she would step down as managing director of Lastminute.com. The company survived the dotcom crash to be bought for £577m in 2005. Lane Fox's personal share holding at the time the company was bought was worth £13 million.
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Martin Gilbert
Sir Martin John Gilbert, CBE, PC (born 25 October 1936) is a British historian and honorary Fellow of Merton College, University of Oxford. He is the author of over eighty books, including works on the Holocaust and Jewish history. Gilbert is a leading historian of the modern world, and is known as the official biographer of Sir Winston Churchill.
Gilbert was born in London to Peter and Miriam Gilbert. Nine months after the outbreak of the Second World War, he was evacuated to Canada as part of the British efforts to safeguard children. Vivid memories of the transatlantic crossing from Liverpool to Quebec sparked his curiosity about the war in later years. After the war he attended Highgate School, and then completed two years of National Service in the Intelligence Corps before going on to study at Magdalen College, Oxford, graduating in 1960 with a first-class BA in modern history. One of his tutors at Oxford was A.J.P. Taylor. After his graduation, Gilbert undertook postgraduate research at St Antony's College, Oxford. In 1963, he married Helen Constance Robinson, with whom he had a daughter. He had two sons with his second wife, Susan Sacher, whom he married in 1974. Since 2005, he has been married to the Holocaust historian Esther Gilbert, née Goldberg. Gilbert describes himself as a proud practising Jew and a Zionist.
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Martin Joseph Routh
Martin Joseph Routh (18 September 1755 – 22 December 1854) was an English classical scholar and President of Magdalen College, Oxford (1791-1854).
Routh was born at South Elmham, Suffolk, England. Educated at Queen's College and Magdalen College, Oxford, he was elected in 1775 to a fellowship at Magdalen College. On 28 April 1791, he became the President of Magdalen College, a post he held for the next 63 years until his death in 1854. In 1810, he was presented with the valuable living of Tilehurst in Berkshire, where, it is recorded, he liked to spend his holidays when not in Oxford. At Tilehurst he married Eliza Agnes Blagrave, daughter of John Blagrave of Calcot Park.
Shrunken in size and deaf, Routh retained his eyesight, his good memory, and his other intellectual powers to the last, dying at Magdalen College.
He was the author of editions of the Euthydemus and Gorgias of Plato (1784), to which Karl Wilhelm Dindorf declared himself indebted for his first ideas of Greek criticism, and of Gilbert Burnet's History of his Own Time (2nd ed., 1833) and History of the Reign of King James the Second (1852). Routh was above all an authority on patristic literature, his Reliquiae Sacrae (2nd ed., 1846–48), a collection of the fragments of the Fathers of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, and Scriptorum ecclesiasticorum opuscula praecipua quaedam (2nd ed., 1840) being valuable contributions to ecclesiastical knowledge.
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Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene (original Greek Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή), or Mary of Magdala, was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important female disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", [Lu 8:2] [Mk 16:9] sometimes interpreted as referring to complex illnesses. She became Jesus' close friend and most prominent during his last days, being present at the cross after the male disciples (excepting John the Beloved) had fled, and at his burial. She was the first person to see Jesus after his Resurrection, according to both John 20 and Mark 16:9.
Mary Magdalene is considered by the Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches to be a saint, with a feast day of July 22. The Eastern Orthodox churches also commemorate her on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers.
Consistently in the four Gospels, Mary Magdalene seems to be distinguished from other women named Mary by adding "Magdalene" (η Μαγδαληνή) to her name. Traditionally, this has been interpreted to mean that she was from Magdala, a town thought to have been on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Luke 8:2 says that she was actually "called Magdalene." In Hebrew מגדל Migdal means "tower", "fortress"; in Aramaic, "Magdala" means "tower" or "elevated, great, magnificent".
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Matt Ridley
Matthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley, FRSL, FMedSci, DL (born 7 February 1958, in Northumberland), known as Matt Ridley, is a British scientist, journalist and author. He also is a former Chairman of Northern Rock. He has written several science books including the The Red Queen (1994), Genome (1999) and The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves (2010). Ridley has been short-listed twice for the Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction. In 2011, he won the Hayek Prize, which "honors the book published within the past two years that best reflects Hayek’s vision of economic and individual liberty." Ridley also gave the Angus Millar Lecture on "scientific heresy" at the RSA in 2011 and his TED.com talk on "when ideas have sex" has been viewed 1.4 million times. He was recently elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and won the Julian Simon award in March 2012.
Ridley was educated at Eton College from 1970–1975 and then went on to Magdalen College of the University of Oxford and completed a BA degree with first class honours in zoology and then a DPhil degree in zoology in 1983.
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Matthew D'Ancona
Matthew d'Ancona (born 27 January 1968) is a British journalist. A former deputy editor of the Sunday Telegraph, he was appointed editor of the Spectator in February 2006, a post he retained until August 2009.
D'Ancona's father came from Malta to Britain to study and ended up playing professional football for Newcastle before becoming a civil servant. According to d'Ancona, his father was also many times Maltese tennis champion. His mother was an English teacher.
D'Ancona was educated at St Dunstan's College, an independent school for boys (now co-educational) in Catford in south London, where he was head boy and captain of judo. He also showed an early aptitude for journalism by winning an essay writing competition on the subject of the future of British industry run by the Observer. He went up to Magdalen College at the University of Oxford, where he took the top First in Modern History for his year in 1989. The same year, he was elected a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.
After a year studying medieval confession, he joined the magazine Index on Censorship, before proceeding to The Times as a trainee. There he rose swiftly to become Education Correspondent and then Assistant Editor at the age of 26.
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Michael Denison
John Michael Terence Wellesley Denison CBE (1 November 1915 – 22 July 1998) was an English actor.
Denison was born in Doncaster, West Riding of Yorkshire in 1915. He was brought up by his aunt and uncle from the age of three weeks, following the death of his mother and his estrangement from his father. He was educated at Harrow where he took part in school productions. It was while at Magdalen College, Oxford University, studying modern languages that he met John Gielgud and decided to take up acting seriously.
After graduating, he attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where he met Dulcie Gray, a fellow student, who later became his wife in 1939 and his acting partner. They appeared in over 100 West End productions, together in some 28 plays in London and countless tours of Britain and elsewhere. They also appeared together in several films. Their intertwined professional lives reached their pinnacle in 1996 with their first appearance together on Broadway, in the Peter Hall production of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband. Their last appearance together was in Curtain Up, an evening of reminiscences at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London, shortly before he died.
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Michael Jay
Michael Hastings Jay, Baron Jay of Ewelme, GCMG (born 19 June 1946) is a former British diplomat and is currently Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
Jay was born in Hampshire and educated at Winchester College, Magdalen College, Oxford, of which he is an honorary fellow, and London University's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). He served as a VSO teacher in Zambia.
Jay joined the Ministry of Overseas Development in 1969, serving in London, Washington (at the World Bank) in 1973 and as First Secretary (Development) at the British High Commission, New Delhi, in 1978. He transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1981, serving as Private Secretary to the Permanent Under-Secretary of State. As Counsellor he served in the European Secretariat of the Cabinet Office from 1985 to 1987. He was posted as Counsellor in the Paris Embassy from 1987 to 1990, returning to the FCO as Director for European Affairs until 1994. He was appointed Director General for European and Economic Affairs 1994-96, following which he became a Senior Associate Member of St Antony's College, Oxford. From July 1996 to September 2001 he was British Ambassador to France. In July 2001, he was appointed Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and thus Head of the Diplomatic Service, a post he took up on 14 January 2002.
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Niall Ferguson
Niall Campbell Douglas Ferguson (born 18 April 1964) is a British historian. His speciality is financial and economic history, particularly hyperinflation and the bond markets, as well as the history of colonialism.
Ferguson, who was born in Glasgow, is the Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University. He was educated at the private Glasgow Academy in Scotland, and at Magdalen College, Oxford.
Ferguson's books include Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World, The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World and Civilization: The West and the Rest, all of which he has also presented as Channel 4 television series.
In 2004 he was named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. He is currently[when?] a contributing editor for Bloomberg Television and a columnist for Newsweek. He is currently[when?] working on the official biography of Henry Kissinger to whom he has been granted unprecedented access.
Ferguson was born the son of a doctor father and a physics teacher mother in Glasgow on 18 April 1964, and lived for a time near Ibrox Park. He attended The Glasgow Academy.[citation needed]
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Nicholas Boles
Nicholas Edward Coleridge "Nick" Boles (born 2 November 1965) is a British Conservative Party politician who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Grantham and Stamford constituency in Lincolnshire. He was previously a Westminster City councillor and the Director of Policy Exchange, a think tank based in Westminster.
Boles was a scholar at Winchester College before studying PPE at Magdalen College, Oxford, then winning a Kennedy Scholarship to study for a Master's in Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.[citation needed]
In 1995, he founded a small DIY supply small business—Longwall Holdings Limited—of which he is non-executive chairman, having served as the chief executive until 2000. In 1998, he was elected to Westminster City Council for the West End ward comprising Mayfair and Soho. He was chairman of the Housing Committee from 1999 to 2001, before stepping down in 2002. During much of this time, Boles flatshared with fellow Conservative activists Michael Gove and Ivan Massow. He and Gove, along with fellow Westminster Conservatives Ed Vaizey, David Cameron, George Osborne and Rachel Whetstone, are sometimes referred to as the 'Notting Hill Set' an influential group of relatively young Conservatives. He founded the think tank Policy Exchange in 2002 and served as the Director until leaving the organisation in 2007 to avoid a potential conflict of interest. During his tenure Policy Exchange became one of the most influential think tanks in the country, especially after David Cameron was elected Conservative Party leader in 2005.
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Nicholas D. Kristof
Nicholas Donabet Kristof (born April 27, 1959 in Yamhill, Oregon) is an American journalist, author, op-ed columnist, and a winner of two Pulitzer Prizes. He has written an op-ed column for The New York Times since November 2001 and The Washington Post says that he "rewrote opinion journalism" with his emphasis on human rights abuses and social injustices, such as human trafficking and the Darfur conflict. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa has described Kristof as an "honorary African" for shining a spotlight on neglected conflicts.
Nicholas Kristof grew up on a sheep and cherry farm in Yamhill, Oregon. He is the son of Ladis "Kris" Kristof (born Vladislav Krzysztofowicz), who was born of Polish and Armenian parents in former Austria-Hungary and who emigrated to the United States after World War II, and Jane Kristof, both long-time professors at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Nicholas Kristof graduated from Yamhill Carlton High School, where he was student body president and school newspaper editor, and later went on to become a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Harvard College. At Harvard, he studied government and worked on The Harvard Crimson newspaper; "Alums recall Kristof as one of the brightest undergraduates on campus," according to a profile in the Crimson. After Harvard, he studied law at Magdalen College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He earned his law degree with first-class honors and won an academic prize. Afterward, he studied Arabic in Egypt for the 1983-84 academic year. He has a number of honorary degrees.
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Nicholas Stargardt
Nicholas Stargardt (born in 1962) is an Australian historian and author.
Stargardt is the son of a German-Jewish father and Australian mother. He was born in Melbourne, Australia and lived in Australia, Japan, England and Germany. He studied at King's College, Cambridge, and is a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, United Kingdom where he teaches modern European history. He has written widely on the history of modern Germany, political and social thought and the Holocaust. He has two sons and is married to the historian Lyndal Roper.
He is the author of 'The German Idea of Militarism: Radical and Socialist Critics' (1994), an intellectual and political history of anti-militarist movements in Germany before the First World War, and of 'Witnesses of War: Children’s Lives under the Nazis' (2005), which offered the first social history of Nazi Germany in the Second World War through the eyes of children. He is currently writing a social history of Germany in the Second World War.
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Norman Davies
Professor Ivor Norman Richard DaviesFBA, FRHistS (born 8 June 1939) is a leading English historian of Welsh descent, noted for his publications on the history of Europe, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Davies was born to Richard and Elizabeth Davies in Bolton, Lancashire. He studied in Grenoble, France from 1957 to 1958 and then under A. J. P. Taylor at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he earned a B.A. in History in 1962. He was awarded an M.A. at the University of Sussex in 1966 and also studied in Perugia, Italy. He intended to study for a Ph.D. in the Soviet Union but was denied an entry visa, so instead he went to Kraków, Poland, to study at the Jagiellonian University and do research on the Polish–Soviet War. As this war was denied in the official communist Polish historiography of that time, he was obliged to change the title of his dissertation to The British Foreign Policy towards Poland, 1919–20. After he obtained his Ph.D. in Kraków in 1968, the English text appeared under the title White Eagle, Red Star. The Polish-Soviet War 1919–20 in 1972.
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Orlando Gibbons
Orlando Gibbons (baptised 25 December 1583 – 5 June 1625) was an English composer, virginalist and organist of the late Tudor and early Jacobean periods. He was a leading composer in the England of his day.
Gibbons was born in Cambridge and christened at Oxford the same year – thus appearing in Oxford church records.
Between 1596 and 1598 he sang in the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, where his brother Edward Gibbons (1568–1650), eldest of the four sons of William Gibbons, was master of the choristers. The second brother Ellis Gibbons (1573–1603) was also a promising composer, but died young. Orlando entered the university in 1598 and achieved the degree of Bachelor of Music in 1606.James I appointed him a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, where he served as an organist from at least 1615 until his death. In 1623 he became senior organist at the Chapel Royal, with Thomas Tomkins as junior organist. He also held positions as keyboard player in the privy chamber of the court of Prince Charles (later King Charles I), and organist at Westminster Abbey. He died at age 41 in Canterbury of apoplexy, and a monument to him was built in Canterbury Cathedral. A suspicion immediately arose that Gibbons had died of the plague, which was rife in England that year. Two physicians who had been present at his death were ordered to make a report, and performed an autopsy, the account of which survives in The National Archives:
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Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900) was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s. Today he is remembered for his epigrams, plays and the circumstances of his imprisonment, followed by his early death.
Wilde's parents were successful Dublin intellectuals. Their son became fluent in French and German early in life. At university Wilde read Greats; he proved himself to be an outstanding classicist, first at Dublin, then at Oxford. He became known for his involvement in the rising philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles. As a spokesman for aestheticism, he tried his hand at various literary activities: he published a book of poems, lectured in the United States of America and Canada on the new "English Renaissance in Art", and then returned to London where he worked prolifically as a journalist. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress, and glittering conversation, Wilde had become one of the most well-known personalities of his day.
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P. F. Strawson
Sir Peter Frederick Strawson FBA (23 November 1919 – 13 February 2006) was an English philosopher. He was the Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at the University of Oxford (Magdalen College) from 1968 to 1987. Before that he was appointed as a college lecturer at University College, Oxford in 1947 and became a tutorial fellow the following year until 1968. On his retirement in 1987, he returned to the college and continued working there until shortly before his death.
Peter Strawson was born in Ealing, West London, and brought up in Finchley, Middlesex, by his parents, both of whom were teachers. He was educated at Christ's College, Finchley, followed by St John's College, Oxford, where he read Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Strawson first became well known with his article "On Referring" (1950), a criticism of Bertrand Russell's Theory of Descriptions (see also Definite descriptions). He was largely responsible for establishing metaphysics as a worthwhile direction in analytic philosophy.[citation needed]
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P. G. Wodehouse
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE ( /ˈwʊd.haʊs/; 15 October 1881 – 14 February 1975) was an English humorist, whose body of work includes novels, short stories, plays, poems, song lyrics and numerous pieces of journalism. He enjoyed enormous popular success during a career that lasted more than seventy years and his many writings continue to be widely read. Despite the political and social upheavals that occurred during his life, much of which was spent in France and the United States, Wodehouse's main canvas remained that of pre-1914 English upper-class society, reflecting his birth, education and youthful writing career.
An acknowledged master of English prose, Wodehouse has been admired both by contemporaries such as Hilaire Belloc, Evelyn Waugh and Rudyard Kipling and by modern writers such as Stephen Fry,Douglas Adams,Zadie Smith,[citation needed]J. K. Rowling, and John Le Carré .
Best known today for the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels and short stories, Wodehouse was also a playwright and lyricist who was part author and writer of 15 plays and of 250 lyrics for some 30 musical comedies, many of them produced in collaboration with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton. He worked with Cole Porter on the musical Anything Goes (1934), wrote the lyrics for the hit song "Bill" in Kern's Show Boat (1927), wrote lyrics to Sigmund Romberg's music for the Gershwin – Romberg musical Rosalie (1928) and collaborated with Rudolf Friml on a musical version of The Three Musketeers (1928). He is in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Paul Brough
Paul Brough (born London 15 July 1963) is an English conductor, and a teacher of conducting. He began 2011 as the new Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers.
For the past eight years he has enjoyed a varied portfolio as conductor (BBC Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Singers, Britten Sinfonia, Manchester Camerata, St James's Baroque, Ulster Orchestra), Professor at the Royal Academy of Music (academic studies and conducting) and Director of Music at All Saints, Margaret Street. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2007 for 'distinction in the music profession'. He conducted period orchestra The Hanover Band for seven seasons, serving as Principal Conductor 2007-10.
He studied with Colin Metters and George Hurst, in regular masterclasses with both Sir Colin Davis and the late Ilya Musin, and with Jeffrey Tate in preparation of the Venice 'Ring' 2007-10.
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Peter Brook
Peter Stephen Paul Brook CH, CBE (born 21 March 1925) is an English theatre and film director and innovator, who has been based in France since the early 1970s.
Brook was born in London in March 1925, the son of Simon Brook and his wife Ida (Jansen), two Jewish immigrants. He was educated at Gresham's School and Magdalen College, Oxford.
He directed Dr Faustus, his first production, in 1943 at the Torch Theatre in London, followed at the Chanticleer Theatre in 1945 with a revival of The Infernal Machine. In 1947, he went to Stratford-upon-Avon as assistant director on Romeo and Juliet and Love's Labour's Lost. From 1947 to 1950, he was Director of Productions at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. His work there included a highly controversial staging of Strauss’ Salome with sets by Salvador Dalí and also an effective re-staging of Puccini’s La Boheme using sets dating from 1899. A proliferation of stage and screen work as producer and director followed.
In 1951, Brook married the actress Natasha Parry; the couple have a daughter.
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R. G. Collingwood
Robin George Collingwood (22 February 1889 – 9 January 1943) was a British philosopher and historian. He was born at Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands in Lancashire, the son of the academic W. G. Collingwood, and was educated at Rugby School and at University College, Oxford, where he read Greats. He graduated with congratulatory first class honours and, prior to his graduation, was elected a fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford.
Collingwood was a fellow of Pembroke, Oxford for some 15 years until becoming the Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was the only pupil of F. J. Haverfield to survive World War I. Important influences on Collingwood were the Italian Idealists Croce, Gentile and Guido de Ruggiero, the last of whom was also a close friend. Other important influences were Hegel, Kant, Vico, F. H. Bradley and J. A. Smith. His father W. G. Collingwood, professor of fine art at University College, Reading, was a student of Ruskin and was also an important influence.
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Richard Chandler
Richard Chandler (1738, Elson, Hampshire - 9 February 1810) was an English antiquary.
Chandler was educated at Winchester and at Queen's College, Oxford and Magdalen College, Oxford.
His first work consisted of fragments from the minor Greek poets, with notes (Elegiaca Graeca, 1759); and in 1763 he published a fine edition of the inscriptions among the Arundel marbles, Marmora Oxoniensia, with a Latin translation, and a number of suggestions for supplying the lacunae.
In 1764 he was introduced by Robert Wood, who had produced the Ruins of Palmyra to the Society of Dilettanti and sent by them. accompanied by Nicholas Revett, an architect, and William Pars, a painter, to explore the antiquities of Ionia and Greece (1764-1766).
The Society's brief, drawn up 17 May 1764 was that the travelers make Smyrna their headquarters, and from there '..to make excursions to the several remains of antiquity in that neighborhood; to make exact plans and measurements, to make accurate drawings of the bas-reliefs and ornaments..copying all the inscriptions you shall meet with, and keeping minute diaries.'
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Robert Gunther
Robert Theodore Gunther (23 August 1869 – 9 March 1940) was a historian of science,zoologist, and founder of the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford.
Gunther's father, Albert Günther, was Keeper of Zoology at the British Museum in London. Robert Gunther was educated at University College School, attached to University College London. Towards the end of his schooling he attended lectures at University College itself. He was elected to a demyship at Magdalen College, Oxford in 1887 and took this up in 1888. He joined the Oxford University Scientific Club in his first term at Magdalen and subsequently he took up a Fellowship at the College.
In 1911, Gunther and his family moved to 5 Folly Bridge, an unusual and distinctive tall house on a small island in the River Thames next to the bridge. This made the river central to his life. He was a pioneer of environmental conservation in Oxford.
From 1923, Robert Gunther produced a fourteen volume set of books on Early Science in Oxford, his magnum opus, the last appearing in 1945. These were initially produced under the auspices of the Oxford Historical Society and printed at the Clarendon Press, Oxford. A fifteenth volume by his son A. E. Gunther in 1967 covered Robert Gunther himself.
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Robert Macfarlane
Robert MacFarlane or Robert McFarlane may refer to:
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Robin Dunbar
Robin Ian MacDonald Dunbar is a British anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist and a specialist in primate behaviour. He is currently Professor of Evolutionary Psychology and head of the Social Neuroscience Group in the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. From 2007-2012, he was Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology and the Director of the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Oxford and the Co-director of the British Academy Centenary Research Project. He is best known for formulating Dunbar's number, roughly 150, a measurement of the "cognitive limit to the number of individuals with whom any one person can maintain stable relationships".
Dunbar, son of an engineer, received his early education at Magdalen College School, Brackley. He then went onto Magdalen College, Oxford, where his teachers included Nico Tinbergen and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy in 1969. Dunbar then went onto the Department of Psychology of the University of Bristol and completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology in 1973.
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Ronald Dworkin
Ronald Myles Dworkin, FBA (born December 11, 1931) is an American philosopher and scholar of constitutional law. He is Frank Henry Sommer Professor of Law and Philosophy at New York University and Emeritus Professor of Jurisprudence at University College London, and has taught previously at Yale Law School and the University of Oxford. An influential contributor to both philosophy of law and political philosophy, Dworkin received the 2007 Holberg International Memorial Prize in the Humanities for "his pioneering scholarly work" of "worldwide impact." According to a survey in The Journal of Legal Studies, Dworkin was the second most-cited American legal scholar of the twentieth century.
His theory of law as integrity, in which judges interpret the law in terms of consistent and communal moral principles, especially justice and fairness, is amongst the most influential contemporary theories about the nature of law. He advocates a "moral reading" of the United States Constitution, and an interpretivist approach to law and morality. He is a frequent commentator on contemporary political and legal issues, particularly those concerning the Supreme Court of the United States, often in the pages of The New York Review of Books.
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Russ Feingold
Russell Dana "Russ" Feingold (/ˈfaɪn.ɡoʊld/; born March 2, 1953) is a lawyer and politician from the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He served as a Democratic party member of the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2011. From 1983 to 1993, Feingold was a Wisconsin State Senator representing the 27th District.
He is a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, and cosponsored the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain–Feingold Act), a major piece of campaign finance reform legislation. He was the only Senator to vote against the USA PATRIOT Act during the first vote on the legislation.
Feingold had been mentioned as a possible candidate in the 2008 Presidential election, but following the November midterm elections of 2006 he chose not to run. In 2010, Feingold lost his campaign for re-election to the US Senate to Republican Ron Johnson.
On February 17, 2011, Feingold announced he had formed a grassroots Political Action Committee Progressives United, a movement intended, among other things, to fight the controversial United States Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC.
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Seamus Heaney
Seamus Heaney (/ˈʃeɪməs ˈhiːni/; born 13 April 1939) is an Irish poet, playwright, translator, lecturer and recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature. Born at Mossbawn farmhouse between Castledawson and Toomebridge, he now resides in Dublin.
As well as the Nobel Prize in Literature, Heaney has received the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize (1968), the E. M. Forster Award (1975), the Golden Wreath of Poetry (2001), T. S. Eliot Prize (2006) and two Whitbread Prizes (1996 and 1999). He has been a member of Aosdána since its foundation and has been Saoi since 1997. He was both the Harvard and the Oxford Professor of Poetry and was made a Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres in 1996. Heaney's personal papers are held by the National Library of Ireland.
Robert Lowell called him "the most important Irish poet since Yeats" and many others, including the academic John Sutherland, have echoed the sentiment that he is "the greatest poet of our age".
<poem> From Mid-Term Break
Wearing a poppy bruise on the left temple, He lay in the four foot box as in a cot. No gaudy scars, the bumper knocked him clear.
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Simon Caney
Simon Caney is Professor of Political Theory and Fellow and Tutor of Magdalen College, Oxford.
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Simon Woods
Simon Woods (born 1980) is an English actor best known for his role as Octavian in Season 2 of the British-American television series Rome and the 2005 Pride & Prejudice as Mr. Charles Bingley. He also recently starred as Dr Harrison in the BBC1 costume drama series Cranford, whose arrival in the village "sets female hearts racing."
He attended Eton College, then read English at Magdalen College, Oxford. While at Oxford, he was in a relationship with Rosamund Pike that lasted two years. Despite the break-up, the two later played lovers Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley in Pride & Prejudice.
After graduating from Oxford, Woods worked briefly at The Guardian before becoming an actor.
In 2009, he announced that he was gay and was in a relationship with Burberry designer Christopher Bailey.
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Sir John Stainer
Sir John Stainer (6 June 1840 – 31 March 1901) was an English composer and organist whose music, though not generally much performed today (with the exception of The Crucifixion, still heard at Passiontide in many Protestant churches of the former British Empire), was very popular during his lifetime. His work as choir trainer and organist set standards for Anglican church music which are still influential. He was also active as an academic, becoming professor of music at Oxford. According to Peter Charlton's biography, Sir Arthur Sullivan's tribute to Stainer was blunt and memorable: "He is a genius".
Stainer was born in Southwark, London, on 6 June 1840. As a boy, he sang in the choir of St Paul's Cathedral (a house in the cathedral's present choir school is named after him). At the age of 16, he was appointed by Sir Frederick Ouseley to the post of organist at the newly founded St. Michael's College, Tenbury. Because of a childhood accident, Stainer had lost the use of one eye; for a brief period in 1875 he lost that of the other too.
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Siôn Simon
Siôn Llewelyn Simon (born 23 December 1968) is a British Labour politician, who served as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Erdington from the 2001 General Election to the 2010 General Election. Simon was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Further Education and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Creative Industries. In 2010, he stood down from Parliament to campaign for direct election of the Mayor of Birmingham, with the intent of running in the first election.
He was born in Caernarfonshire to Welsh-speaking parents but raised in Birmingham, where he lived in Great Barr, Handsworth and Handsworth Wood. Simon's parents were both teachers in Birmingham. Simon attended Handsworth Grammar School where he joined the Labour Party aged 16. Simon enrolled at Magdalen College, Oxford in 1987 where he read Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He was elected President of the college Junior Common Room in his second year.
After university, Simon was a research assistant for George Robertson MP for three years. After he spent a two year stint working for Diageo in their Guinness management team, then a FTSE top 20 company. Simon then freelanced on speechwriting, policy and advice, clients included Tony Blair's Office in Opposition, Microsoft UK, the International Duty Free Confederation and various other charities and communication companies. He then became a journalist, working for The Daily Telegraph, the Daily Express and the News of the World. He was also an associate editor at The Spectator. His columns varied from restaurant reviews to politics.
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Terrence Malick
Terrence Frederick Malick (born November 30, 1943) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. In a career spanning over four decades, Malick has directed five feature films.
Malick has received consistent regard for his work. Malick was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Director for The Thin Red Line and The Tree of Life and Best Adapted Screenplay for The Thin Red Line, as well as winning the Golden Bear at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival for The Thin Red Line and the Palme d'Or at the 64th Cannes Film Festival for The Tree of Life.
Terrence Malick was born in Ottawa, Illinois or Waco, Texas, the son of Irene (née Thompson) and Emil A. Malick, a geologist. His paternal grandparents were Assyrian Christian Lebanese immigrants. Waco is one of the settings of his film The Tree of Life. Malick attended St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin, Texas while his family lived in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Malick had two younger brothers: Chris and Larry. Larry Malick was a guitarist who went to study in Spain with Segovia in the late 1960s. In 1968, Larry intentionally broke his own hands due to pressure over his musical studies. Emil went to Spain to help Larry, but Larry died shortly after, apparently committing suicide.
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Thomas Wolsey
Thomas Wolsey (c. March 1473 – 29 November 1530; sometimes spelled Woolsey) was an English political figure and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. When Henry VIII became king of England in 1509, Wolsey became the King's almoner. Wolsey's affairs prospered and by 1514 he had become the controlling figure in virtually all matters of state and was extremely powerful within the Church. The highest political position he attained was Lord Chancellor, the King's chief adviser, enjoying great freedom and often depicted as an alter rex (other king). Within the Church he became Archbishop of York, the second most important seat in England, and then was made a cardinal in 1515, giving him precedence over even the Archbishop of Canterbury. His main legacy is from his interest in architecture, in particular his old home of Hampton Court Palace, which stands today.
Thomas Wolsey was born circa 1473, the son of Robert Wolsey of Ipswich and his wife Joan Daundy. His father was widely thought to have been a butcher and a cattle dealer, but sources indicate that Robert Wolsey died at the Battle of Bosworth Field and was a significant casualty.[citation needed] Robert may have been a respected and wealthy cloth merchant, and the butcher story was perhaps invented to demean Wolsey and show how high he had climbed in terms of status.
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Timothy Ware
Kallistos Ware (born Timothy Ware on 11 September 1934) is an English bishop within the Greek Orthodox Church under the Patriarch of Constantinople and one of the best-known contemporary Eastern Orthodox theologians. From 1982 he has held the Titular Bishopric of Diokleia. In 2007 the bishopric was made a titular metropolitan bishopric.
From 1966 to 2001, Ware was Spalding Lecturer of Eastern Orthodox Studies at the University of Oxford. He has authored numerous books and articles pertaining to the Orthodox Christian faith.
Born Timothy Ware in Bath, Somerset, England, he was educated at Westminster School in London (to which he had won a King's Scholarship) and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he took a double first in classics as well as reading theology. On 14 April 1958, at the age of 24, he embraced the Orthodox Christian faith (having been raised Anglican), travelling subsequently throughout Greece and spending a great deal of time at the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Patmos. He also frequented other major centres of Orthodoxy such as Jerusalem and Mount Athos. In 1966 he was ordained to the priesthood and was tonsured as a monk, receiving the name "Kállistos".
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Wesley Clark
Wesley Kanne Clark, Sr. (born December 23, 1944) is a retired general of the United States Army. Graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1966 at West Point, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford where he obtained a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and later graduated from the Command and General Staff College with a master's degree in military science. He spent 34 years in the Army and the Department of Defense, receiving many military decorations, several honorary knighthoods, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Clark commanded Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo War during his term as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1997 to 2000.
Clark joined the 2004 race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination as a candidate on September 17, 2003, but withdrew from the primary race on February 11, 2004, after winning the Oklahoma state primary, endorsing and campaigning for the eventual Democratic nominee, John Kerry. Clark currently leads a political action committee—"WesPAC"—which was formed after the 2004 primaries, and used it to support numerous Democratic Party candidates in the 2006 midterm elections. Clark was considered a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2008, but, on September 15, 2007, endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton. After Clinton dropped out of the Presidential race, Clark endorsed the then-presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama. Clark currently serves as the co-chairman of Growth Energy, an ethanol lobbying group and on the board of directors of BNK Petroleum.
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Wilfred Thesiger
Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger, CBE, DSO, FRAS, FRGS (3 June 1910 – 24 August 2003) was a British explorer and travel writer born in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Thesiger's father, the Hon. Wilfred Gilbert Thesiger, younger son of the second baron, was a diplomat. The actor Ernest Thesiger (1879–1961) was his cousin. Frederic Thesiger, 1st Viscount Chelmsford, Viceroy of India, was his uncle.
Thesiger was educated at Eton College, a famous independent school in Eton in Berkshire, followed by Magdalen College at the University of Oxford, where he took a Third in History. Between 1930 and 1933, Thesiger represented Oxford at boxing and later (in 1933) became captain of the Oxford boxing team.
In 1930, Thesiger returned to Africa, having received a personal invitation by Emperor Haile Selassie to attend his coronation. He returned again in 1933 in an expedition, funded in part by the Royal Geographical Society, to explore the course of the Awash River. During this expedition, he became the first European to enter the Aussa Sultanate and visit Lake Abbe.
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Tour: Magdalen College, Oxford
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:23
- Updated: 08 Dec 2012
Welcome to the Magdalen College, Oxford Freshers' Tour video! If you have any questions, please post them in the comments or send us a message. Directed and edited by Jamie Miles: youtube.com Director of Photography, Tom Edkins: youtube.com Full Credits in order of appearance: The Juggler: Doug Fickling The Boatie: Alice Ahearn The Dinosaur: Nudge Duke The Gentleman on Crutches: Mat Malinowski Oscar d'Tortoise: Zoë Geraghty Special thanks to: Magdalen College JCR My Amazing Friends
http://wn.com/Tour_Magdalen_College,_Oxford
Welcome to the Magdalen College, Oxford Freshers' Tour video! If you have any questions, please post them in the comments or send us a message. Directed and edited by Jamie Miles: youtube.com Director of Photography, Tom Edkins: youtube.com Full Credits in order of appearance: The Juggler: Doug Fickling The Boatie: Alice Ahearn The Dinosaur: Nudge Duke The Gentleman on Crutches: Mat Malinowski Oscar d'Tortoise: Zoë Geraghty Special thanks to: Magdalen College JCR My Amazing Friends
Magdalen and Merton Colleges, Oxford
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:21
- Updated: 20 Nov 2012
A quick tour of Magdalen and Merton Colleges
http://wn.com/Magdalen_and_Merton_Colleges,_Oxford
A quick tour of Magdalen and Merton Colleges
- published: 27 Jul 2008
- views: 2493
- author: William Hamblin
Magdalen College Oxford
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:26
- Updated: 02 Feb 2012
Magdalen College Oxford
http://wn.com/Magdalen_College_Oxford
Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford - Magnificat.wmv
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:06
- Updated: 15 Dec 2012
From Second Service & Consort Anthems, William Byrd(1540-1623) Stefan Roberts, treble; Rogers Covey-Crump, tenor; dir.: Bill Ives A few other compositions by Byrd should probably be assigned to his teenage years. Apart from his contribution to In exitu Israel (Similes illis fiant a4), these include his setting of the Easter responsory Christus resurgens (a4) which was not published until 1605, but which as another Sarum liturgical unit could also have been composed during Mary's reign. Some of the hymns and antiphons for keyboard and for consort may also date from this period, though it is also possible that the consort pieces may have been composed in Lincoln for the musical training of choirboys. Byrd's first known professional employment was an organist and choirmaster of Lincoln Cathedral, a post which he held from 25 March 1563. Residing at 6 Minster Yard Lincoln, he remained in post until 1572. His period at Lincoln was not entirely trouble-free, for on 19 November 1569 the Dean and Chapter cited him for certain matters alleged against him as the result of which his salary was suspended. Since Puritanism was influential at Lincoln, it is possible that the allegations were connected with over-elaborate choral polyphony or organ playing. A second directive dated 29 November issued detailed instructions regarding Byrd's use of the organ in the liturgy. On 14 September 1568 Byrd married Julian Birley, a long-lasting and fruitful union which produced at least seven ...
http://wn.com/Choir_of_Magdalen_College,_Oxford_Magnificatwmv
From Second Service & Consort Anthems, William Byrd(1540-1623) Stefan Roberts, treble; Rogers Covey-Crump, tenor; dir.: Bill Ives A few other compositions by Byrd should probably be assigned to his teenage years. Apart from his contribution to In exitu Israel (Similes illis fiant a4), these include his setting of the Easter responsory Christus resurgens (a4) which was not published until 1605, but which as another Sarum liturgical unit could also have been composed during Mary's reign. Some of the hymns and antiphons for keyboard and for consort may also date from this period, though it is also possible that the consort pieces may have been composed in Lincoln for the musical training of choirboys. Byrd's first known professional employment was an organist and choirmaster of Lincoln Cathedral, a post which he held from 25 March 1563. Residing at 6 Minster Yard Lincoln, he remained in post until 1572. His period at Lincoln was not entirely trouble-free, for on 19 November 1569 the Dean and Chapter cited him for certain matters alleged against him as the result of which his salary was suspended. Since Puritanism was influential at Lincoln, it is possible that the allegations were connected with over-elaborate choral polyphony or organ playing. A second directive dated 29 November issued detailed instructions regarding Byrd's use of the organ in the liturgy. On 14 September 1568 Byrd married Julian Birley, a long-lasting and fruitful union which produced at least seven ...
- published: 16 Jan 2010
- views: 11649
- author: treblechoir99
Dr. Michael Stoddard; Magdalen College, Oxford University
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:01
- Updated: 25 Aug 2010
July 9, 2008
http://wn.com/Dr_Michael_Stoddard;_Magdalen_College,_Oxford_University
May Morning 2011 in Magdalen College, Oxford
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:09
- Updated: 19 Oct 2012
Magdalen College Choir singing the Hymnus Eucharisticus from Magdalen Tower, viewed from the cloisters in Magdalen College at 6am, 01/05/11. When they finish, you can hear the raucous crowds on Magdalen Bridge cheer before we do rather more reservedly.
http://wn.com/May_Morning_2011_in_Magdalen_College,_Oxford
Magdalen College Choir singing the Hymnus Eucharisticus from Magdalen Tower, viewed from the cloisters in Magdalen College at 6am, 01/05/11. When they finish, you can hear the raucous crowds on Magdalen Bridge cheer before we do rather more reservedly.
- published: 01 May 2011
- views: 1129
- author: DCDJ18
Carolyn Returns to Magdalen College, Oxford
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:42
- Updated: 30 Jul 2010
On September 5, 2009 Carolyn returns to Oxford for the first time in some 25 years.
http://wn.com/Carolyn_Returns_to_Magdalen_College,_Oxford
On September 5, 2009 Carolyn returns to Oxford for the first time in some 25 years.
- published: 25 Feb 2010
- views: 622
- author: Ryan Simmons
Magdalen College, Oxford: Cloisters and Quad
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:18
- Updated: 04 Feb 2012
Walking in the cloisters of Magdalen College, and looking out at the quad.
http://wn.com/Magdalen_College,_Oxford_Cloisters_and_Quad
Walking in the cloisters of Magdalen College, and looking out at the quad.
- published: 11 Feb 2007
- views: 3184
- author: aelfwine14
An Earthly Tree : The Choir of Magdalen College Chapel, Oxford
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:35
- Updated: 09 Dec 2012
The Choristers of Magdalen College Chapel Choir, Oxford sing William Byrd's beautiful Advent carol An Earthly Tree under the direction of Grayston (Bill) Ives. The pictures used are of Magdalen College Chapel and surrounds. 1. An earthly tree a heavenly fruit it bear, A case of clay contained a crown immortal A crown of crowns, a King whose cost and care Redeemed poor man, whose race before was thrall To death, to doom, to pains of everlasting, By His sweet death, scorns, stripes, and often fasting. 2. A star above the stars, a sun of light, Whose blessed beams this wretched earth bespread With hope of heaven and of God's Son the sight, Which in our flesh and sinful soul lay dead. O faith, O hope, O joys renowned for ever, O lively life that deathless shall persever. 3. Then let us sing the lullabys of sleep To this sweet babe, born to awake us all From drowsy sin that made old Adam weep, And by his fault gave to mankind the fall. For lo! this day, the birth day, day of days, Summons our songs to give Him laud and praise.
http://wn.com/An_Earthly_Tree_The_Choir_of_Magdalen_College_Chapel,_Oxford
The Choristers of Magdalen College Chapel Choir, Oxford sing William Byrd's beautiful Advent carol An Earthly Tree under the direction of Grayston (Bill) Ives. The pictures used are of Magdalen College Chapel and surrounds. 1. An earthly tree a heavenly fruit it bear, A case of clay contained a crown immortal A crown of crowns, a King whose cost and care Redeemed poor man, whose race before was thrall To death, to doom, to pains of everlasting, By His sweet death, scorns, stripes, and often fasting. 2. A star above the stars, a sun of light, Whose blessed beams this wretched earth bespread With hope of heaven and of God's Son the sight, Which in our flesh and sinful soul lay dead. O faith, O hope, O joys renowned for ever, O lively life that deathless shall persever. 3. Then let us sing the lullabys of sleep To this sweet babe, born to awake us all From drowsy sin that made old Adam weep, And by his fault gave to mankind the fall. For lo! this day, the birth day, day of days, Summons our songs to give Him laud and praise.
- published: 21 Nov 2009
- views: 7206
- author: drwestbury
Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford - Evensong
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:53
- Updated: 12 Oct 2012
1- 'O quam gloriosum' 2 -'Surely Thou hast tasted': Bernard Rose (1916-1996) Seven services a week in Term are sung by the Choir, which is directed by Bill Ives, who bears the ancient title Informator Choristarum. Those who remember The King's Singers in the 1980s will recognise Bill as the group's popular, diminutive tenor. The Choir retains much the same shape as it had when it was founded in 1480, with sixteen boy Choristers (educated at Magdalen College School) and twelve adult Academical Clerks (undergraduates of the College). They have appeared frequently on television and radio, and in the motion picture Shadowlands, and have sung to appreciative audiences all over the world. They have made a number of recordings, one of which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005. But their primary attention continues to be focused on daily Chapel services, which they sing every evening in Full Term (except Tuesdays) at 6.00 pm, and every Sunday morning in Term at 11.30 am. The repertoire of settings for Evensong and the Mass ranges from works by John Sheppard (Informator Choristarum in the 16th century) to modern pieces by the present Informator, Grayston Ives, who is a distinguished composer of sacred music.
http://wn.com/Choir_of_Magdalen_College,_Oxford_Evensong
1- 'O quam gloriosum' 2 -'Surely Thou hast tasted': Bernard Rose (1916-1996) Seven services a week in Term are sung by the Choir, which is directed by Bill Ives, who bears the ancient title Informator Choristarum. Those who remember The King's Singers in the 1980s will recognise Bill as the group's popular, diminutive tenor. The Choir retains much the same shape as it had when it was founded in 1480, with sixteen boy Choristers (educated at Magdalen College School) and twelve adult Academical Clerks (undergraduates of the College). They have appeared frequently on television and radio, and in the motion picture Shadowlands, and have sung to appreciative audiences all over the world. They have made a number of recordings, one of which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005. But their primary attention continues to be focused on daily Chapel services, which they sing every evening in Full Term (except Tuesdays) at 6.00 pm, and every Sunday morning in Term at 11.30 am. The repertoire of settings for Evensong and the Mass ranges from works by John Sheppard (Informator Choristarum in the 16th century) to modern pieces by the present Informator, Grayston Ives, who is a distinguished composer of sacred music.
- published: 15 Oct 2008
- views: 11319
- author: treblechoir99
Magdalen College - Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:52
- Updated: 22 Jun 2011
tripwow.tripadvisor.com - Created at TripWow by TravelPod Attractions (a TripAdvisor™ company) Magdalen College Oxford Founded originally in 1448, Magdalen was among the first colleges in Oxford to teach science. Read more at: www.travelpod.com Travel blogs from Magdalen College: - "... Arriving early in the morning we were greeted by the rainy weather, but headed down the main road to see Magdalen College ..." - "... The general festivities (for undergraduates in particular) is to stay up partying all night and then go down to Magdalen College tower to hear the Magdalen Boys' Choir sing at 6 AM ..." - "... looks ancient but is only about 1800s), past the bridge where Peter proposed to Harriet (Lord Peter mystery series), Magdalen College, through universities, across the Cherwell at Magdalen Bridge and watching the punts (different punts, same comments more ..." - "... We decided to check out a couple - Magdalen College and Christ Church College ..." - "... Unfortunately, Magdalen College, the one I really wanted to see, was closed ..." Read these blogs and more at: www.travelpod.com Photos from: - Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom Photos in this video: - "Magdalen college, Oxford University" by Beyond_the_sea from a blog titled "55 minutes and I'm in Oxford" - "Little Harry Potters at Magdalen College" by Mollyandmikeuk from a blog titled "Oxford" - "The Deer Walk, Magdalen College Oxford" by Auldsod from a blog titled "looking for Jack and what was found ...
http://wn.com/Magdalen_College_Oxford,_Oxfordshire,_England,_United_Kingdom
tripwow.tripadvisor.com - Created at TripWow by TravelPod Attractions (a TripAdvisor™ company) Magdalen College Oxford Founded originally in 1448, Magdalen was among the first colleges in Oxford to teach science. Read more at: www.travelpod.com Travel blogs from Magdalen College: - "... Arriving early in the morning we were greeted by the rainy weather, but headed down the main road to see Magdalen College ..." - "... The general festivities (for undergraduates in particular) is to stay up partying all night and then go down to Magdalen College tower to hear the Magdalen Boys' Choir sing at 6 AM ..." - "... looks ancient but is only about 1800s), past the bridge where Peter proposed to Harriet (Lord Peter mystery series), Magdalen College, through universities, across the Cherwell at Magdalen Bridge and watching the punts (different punts, same comments more ..." - "... We decided to check out a couple - Magdalen College and Christ Church College ..." - "... Unfortunately, Magdalen College, the one I really wanted to see, was closed ..." Read these blogs and more at: www.travelpod.com Photos from: - Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom Photos in this video: - "Magdalen college, Oxford University" by Beyond_the_sea from a blog titled "55 minutes and I'm in Oxford" - "Little Harry Potters at Magdalen College" by Mollyandmikeuk from a blog titled "Oxford" - "The Deer Walk, Magdalen College Oxford" by Auldsod from a blog titled "looking for Jack and what was found ...
- published: 27 Oct 2010
- views: 475
- author: TripAdvisorTRIPWOWa
Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford - William Byrd.wmv
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:14
- Updated: 25 Apr 2012
1 - 'In nomine'(II), instrumental 2 - 'Alack, when I look back(tenor: Rogers Covery-Crump) Bill Ives, director
http://wn.com/Choir_of_Magdalen_College,_Oxford_William_Byrdwmv
1 - 'In nomine'(II), instrumental 2 - 'Alack, when I look back(tenor: Rogers Covery-Crump) Bill Ives, director
- published: 14 Apr 2010
- views: 2001
- author: treblechoir99
Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford - Blessed is he that fears the Lord.wmv
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:11
- Updated: 22 Nov 2012
William Byrd: 1 - Blessed is he that fears the Lord''; 2 - Fantasia in D minor(organ) Soloist: Rogers Corey-Crump, tenor Bill Ives, dir. Ryan Leonard, organ Blessed is he that fears the Lord, and walketh in his ways, And sets his whole delight therein the lenght of all his days His stock, and those that of him come mighty on earth shall he The race of such as faithful are, men blessed shall them see.
http://wn.com/Choir_of_Magdalen_College,_Oxford_Blessed_is_he_that_fears_the_Lordwmv
William Byrd: 1 - Blessed is he that fears the Lord''; 2 - Fantasia in D minor(organ) Soloist: Rogers Corey-Crump, tenor Bill Ives, dir. Ryan Leonard, organ Blessed is he that fears the Lord, and walketh in his ways, And sets his whole delight therein the lenght of all his days His stock, and those that of him come mighty on earth shall he The race of such as faithful are, men blessed shall them see.
- published: 16 Nov 2012
- views: 272
- author: treblechoir99
Choir of Magdalen College,Oxford(Lay clerc) - Inclita sancte Marie Magdalene.wmv
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 14:53
- Updated: 29 Aug 2012
Liturgical calendar:holiday of St Marie Magdalene - july 22 1 - ''Magnificat antiphon Inclita sancte Marie Magdalene(Sarum plainchant) 2 - ''Thomas Appleby: Magnificat 3 - ''Magnificat antiphon Inclita sancte Marie Magdalene(Sarum plainchant) Bill Ives, dir. The cult of Mary Magdalen was perpetuated throughout the Western World, where she was considered, among other things, to be the patron saint of penitent sinners and a contemplation life. William of Wayneflete, bishop of Winchester, dedicated his Oxford fondation of 1458 to Mary Magdalen, and since the completion of the chapel and the foundation of the Choir in 1480, Magdalen College has been a centre of musical activity in Oxford. Magdalen is one of those very few foundations that were set up at the height of polyphonic composition in pre-Reformation England; a time when much of the music now found in the Eton Choirbook was being produced'' (from the Booklet)
http://wn.com/Choir_of_Magdalen_College,OxfordLay_clerc_Inclita_sancte_Marie_Magdalenewmv
Liturgical calendar:holiday of St Marie Magdalene - july 22 1 - ''Magnificat antiphon Inclita sancte Marie Magdalene(Sarum plainchant) 2 - ''Thomas Appleby: Magnificat 3 - ''Magnificat antiphon Inclita sancte Marie Magdalene(Sarum plainchant) Bill Ives, dir. The cult of Mary Magdalen was perpetuated throughout the Western World, where she was considered, among other things, to be the patron saint of penitent sinners and a contemplation life. William of Wayneflete, bishop of Winchester, dedicated his Oxford fondation of 1458 to Mary Magdalen, and since the completion of the chapel and the foundation of the Choir in 1480, Magdalen College has been a centre of musical activity in Oxford. Magdalen is one of those very few foundations that were set up at the height of polyphonic composition in pre-Reformation England; a time when much of the music now found in the Eton Choirbook was being produced'' (from the Booklet)
- published: 16 Jul 2012
- views: 451
- author: treblechoir99
Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford - The Truth from above.wmv
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:28
- Updated: 26 Sep 2012
1 - Creator Alme siderum', Plainsong; 2 - 'The Truth from above', V. Williams; 3 - 'An earthly Tree', Byrd
http://wn.com/Choir_of_Magdalen_College,_Oxford_The_Truth_from_abovewmv
1 - Creator Alme siderum', Plainsong; 2 - 'The Truth from above', V. Williams; 3 - 'An earthly Tree', Byrd
- published: 09 Dec 2010
- views: 1543
- author: treblechoir99
Ringing at Magdalen College, Oxford
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:18
- Updated: 29 Oct 2012
quite nice sounding bells but the back bells a little bit of work and a bit oddstruck also. a mixture of Rudhalls, Eillis, William Dawe and taylors. Tenor is 19cwt in E. rung on the HDGB CS district outing to oxford 2010 :)
http://wn.com/Ringing_at_Magdalen_College,_Oxford
quite nice sounding bells but the back bells a little bit of work and a bit oddstruck also. a mixture of Rudhalls, Eillis, William Dawe and taylors. Tenor is 19cwt in E. rung on the HDGB CS district outing to oxford 2010 :)
- published: 19 Jul 2010
- views: 1259
- author: LauraBellringer
Dinner at Magdalen College Oxford circa 1995
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 14:53
- Updated: 21 Nov 2012
Saturday night dinner at The Creative Circle 'Role Reversal Seminar
http://wn.com/Dinner_at_Magdalen_College_Oxford_circa_1995
Saturday night dinner at The Creative Circle 'Role Reversal Seminar
- published: 21 Nov 2012
- views: 37
- author: Mackenzie Rough
Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford - Stabat Mater(Davy).wmv
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 15:20
- Updated: 24 Nov 2012
Richard Davy's Stabat Mater. Richard Davy (c. 1465-1507) was a Renaissance composer, organist and choirmaster, one of the most represented in the Eton Choirbook. His name was a common one in Devon and he may have been born there. He was a scholar of Magdalen College, Oxford and acted as choir master and organist at least in the period 1490-2. Churchwardens' accounts for Ashburton, Devon mention a 'Dom. Richardus Dave:' from 1493-5, where he may have been acting as a chaplain or as master of the nearby school at St. Lawrence Chapel. He may then have moved to Exeter Cathedral to be vicar choral in the period 1497-1506. Davy is the second most represented composer in the Eton choirbook, with nine compositions including his most celebrated work, the Passio Domini in ramis palmarum or Passion according to St Matthew. His work is considered more florid that that of his contemporaries Robert Fayrfax and William Cornish and may have had considerable impact on later figures such as John Taverner. Treble: Michael Hickman; Bill Ives, dir.;
http://wn.com/Choir_of_Magdalen_College,_Oxford_Stabat_MaterDavywmv
Richard Davy's Stabat Mater. Richard Davy (c. 1465-1507) was a Renaissance composer, organist and choirmaster, one of the most represented in the Eton Choirbook. His name was a common one in Devon and he may have been born there. He was a scholar of Magdalen College, Oxford and acted as choir master and organist at least in the period 1490-2. Churchwardens' accounts for Ashburton, Devon mention a 'Dom. Richardus Dave:' from 1493-5, where he may have been acting as a chaplain or as master of the nearby school at St. Lawrence Chapel. He may then have moved to Exeter Cathedral to be vicar choral in the period 1497-1506. Davy is the second most represented composer in the Eton choirbook, with nine compositions including his most celebrated work, the Passio Domini in ramis palmarum or Passion according to St Matthew. His work is considered more florid that that of his contemporaries Robert Fayrfax and William Cornish and may have had considerable impact on later figures such as John Taverner. Treble: Michael Hickman; Bill Ives, dir.;
- published: 25 Feb 2012
- views: 957
- author: treblechoir99
Byrd Second Service Nunc Dimittis Choir of Magdalen College Oxford
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:19
- Updated: 23 Dec 2012
Byrd Second Service Nunc Dimittis sung by the Choir of Magdalen College Oxford. Lyrics Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace According to thy word, For mine eyes have seen thy salvation Which thou hast prepared before the face Of thy people Israel, To be a light to lighten the Gentiles And to be the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, World without end, Amen. (The photo is of the Reredos in the the chapel at Magdalene College). Uploaded for a posting on saturdaychorale.com which published on Friday August 19th 2011 and can be read at the following URI: saturdaychorale.com PS: There's a typo in the opening screen, Sorry about that - mfi.
http://wn.com/Byrd_Second_Service_Nunc_Dimittis_Choir_of_Magdalen_College_Oxford
Byrd Second Service Nunc Dimittis sung by the Choir of Magdalen College Oxford. Lyrics Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace According to thy word, For mine eyes have seen thy salvation Which thou hast prepared before the face Of thy people Israel, To be a light to lighten the Gentiles And to be the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, World without end, Amen. (The photo is of the Reredos in the the chapel at Magdalene College). Uploaded for a posting on saturdaychorale.com which published on Friday August 19th 2011 and can be read at the following URI: saturdaychorale.com PS: There's a typo in the opening screen, Sorry about that - mfi.
- published: 15 Aug 2011
- views: 4338
- author: markfromireland
Magdalen College, Oxford, UK
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:56
- Updated: 04 Sep 2012
Il college fondato nel 1458 che mi ha ospitato per due estati...
http://wn.com/Magdalen_College,_Oxford,_UK
Il college fondato nel 1458 che mi ha ospitato per due estati...
- published: 29 Aug 2007
- views: 4726
- author: lorenzovigotti
May Morning in Oxford 2007
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:06
- Updated: 15 Sep 2010
The Magdalen College School choir will sing at the top of the college tower. It is their tradition at each May Day to sing Latin grace and have Morris dancing and champagne breakfast..
http://wn.com/May_Morning_in_Oxford_2007
The Magdalen College School choir will sing at the top of the college tower. It is their tradition at each May Day to sing Latin grace and have Morris dancing and champagne breakfast..
- published: 01 May 2007
- views: 2695
- author: Jingjing zhang
The Oxford Reptilian
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:57
- Updated: 13 Nov 2012
Because of David Icke, the phenomenon of Reptilian Humanoids has almost become stock-in-trade for anyone investigating the New World Order conspiracy. However not everybody accepts their presence as a reality. A convincing factor is that despite the very recent awareness of Reptilians they are not just a new and recent idea. In Magdalen College Oxford you'll find statues of Reptilian Humanoids 500 years old. I'd like to thanks my friend and fellow researcher Ben Fairhall for making this discovery. You can read about this and more at his blog: the-daily-behamoth.blogspot.com Also see the HPANWO blog links column. Here's a radio interview with Ben: www.redicecreations.com
http://wn.com/The_Oxford_Reptilian
Because of David Icke, the phenomenon of Reptilian Humanoids has almost become stock-in-trade for anyone investigating the New World Order conspiracy. However not everybody accepts their presence as a reality. A convincing factor is that despite the very recent awareness of Reptilians they are not just a new and recent idea. In Magdalen College Oxford you'll find statues of Reptilian Humanoids 500 years old. I'd like to thanks my friend and fellow researcher Ben Fairhall for making this discovery. You can read about this and more at his blog: the-daily-behamoth.blogspot.com Also see the HPANWO blog links column. Here's a radio interview with Ben: www.redicecreations.com
- published: 08 Feb 2011
- views: 7232
- author: benthejrporter
Wires - Athlete live at Magdalen College ball (Oxford) 2012
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:58
- Updated: 29 Nov 2012
Athlete played a fantastic set at Magdalen College Commemoration ball, June 22nd 2012. Probably the best set I've ever seen - one of those where you could clearly tell they both really enjoyed playing and really wanted to be there! Managed to get right to the barrier so a pretty uninterrupted video (plus I managed to get the set list off them at the end!). Please excuse the occasional shaking, a result of the crowd pushing and me dancing up and down like an idiot... Enjoy, I certainly did!!
http://wn.com/Wires_Athlete_live_at_Magdalen_College_ball_Oxford_2012
Athlete played a fantastic set at Magdalen College Commemoration ball, June 22nd 2012. Probably the best set I've ever seen - one of those where you could clearly tell they both really enjoyed playing and really wanted to be there! Managed to get right to the barrier so a pretty uninterrupted video (plus I managed to get the set list off them at the end!). Please excuse the occasional shaking, a result of the crowd pushing and me dancing up and down like an idiot... Enjoy, I certainly did!!
- published: 23 Jun 2012
- views: 404
- author: percy3815
photo: AP / Aijaz Rahi
22 Dec 2012
Tweet. 0 Email. Report. Photo 1 of 18. In 2009, ELLE Magazine named Mrs Assad the most stylish woman in world politics. She is an icon of fashion in her country. Credit. Aimee Kligman. In 2009, ELLE Magazine named Mrs Assad the most stylish woman in world politics. She is an icon of fashion in her country.In 2009, ELLE Magazine named Mrs Assad the most stylish woman in world politics ... Syrians detained by the Assad regime. 13 Photos ... 10 Photos ... ....(size: 6.3Kb)
photo: AP / Alfred de Montesquiou
21 Dec 2012
UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council on Thursday authorized military action to wrest northern Mali from the control of al-Qaida-linked extremists, but it demanded progress first on political reconciliation, elections and training African troops and police ... Instead, it set out benchmarks to be met before the start of offensive operations, starting with progress on a political roadmap to restore constitutional order ... U.N ... On Nov ... ....(size: 3.1Kb)
photo: Public Domain / Tm
21 Dec 2012
The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously approved sending an African-led intervention force to help Mali’s army reconquer much of the country from Islamist militants. The 15-member council gave the force an initial one year mandate to use “all necessary measures” to help the Mali government take back the northern half of the country from “terrorist, extremist and armed groups.” ... Agence France-Presse ....(size: 1.9Kb)
photo: AP / Kirsty Wigglesworth
21 Dec 2012
Former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles is said to have been given an 11-match ban by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for spitting at a referee. In trouble. Raul Meireles is alleged to have spat at the referee after being sent-off . By Telegraph Sport. 10.14AM GMT 21 Dec 2012. Comments ... It is alleged that Meireles spat at the official and also made a homophobic comment ... After the match he said ... . European ... View ... ....(size: 8.6Kb)
photo: AP
22 Dec 2012
An Egyptian constitution drafted by Islamists is expected to be approved in a referendum on Saturday after the charter, which opponents say will create deeper turmoil, won approval in a first wave of voting a week ago. The opposition have already cried foul, saying a litany of abuses means last Saturday’s ballot, involving about half the electorate, should be re-run ... Polling stations open at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) and close at 7 p.m....(size: 4.4Kb)
The Guardian
23 Dec 2012
Choir of Worcester College, Oxford/Farr ... Already sick of Ding Dong Merrily on High? There's still time before Christmas to download a refreshing album of contemporary carols from this classy Oxford choir, packed with world premiere recordings, including Haflidi Hallgrímsson's delightful Joseph and the Angel, written specially for this digital ......(size: 2.5Kb)
The Guardian
23 Dec 2012
protestor Trenton Oldfield swam under the Oxford boat, stopping the Boat Race. "At the last split-second, as the swimmer went under the Oxford boat, the rowers managed to get the blades over the top of his head without hitting him" ... the swimmer went under the Oxford boat and while being hit with a blade probably wouldn't be fatal, the real danger is the outrigger – a metal frame backed up by a metric tonne of athlete and equipment....(size: 4.3Kb)
The Guardian
23 Dec 2012
The Dow Partbooks are five exceptionally handsome volumes in the library of Christ Church, Oxford, compiled by Robert Dow from 1581. This disc restores the music to the chapel of All Souls, Oxford, where he worked, a sonorous but clear acoustic that warms the viol pieces and allows the voices of the Marian Consort to bloom ......(size: 2.8Kb)
The News & Observer
23 Dec 2012
Millbrook wide receiver Corey Cooper has plenty of college suitors since he decided he did not want to go to the University of Louisville. Cooper had committed to Louisville, but later decided he wanted to play his college career closer to home ... Cooper said he is undecided on his college decision now and that N.C ... Joseph (5.40); Oxford Webb vs....(size: 13.9Kb)
The Guardian
23 Dec 2012
The tireless campaigner for disability rights never forgot his working-class roots, says his friend and fellow Labour peer ... It was remarkable how Jack went from leaving St Patrick's elementary school on his 14th birthday to doing heavy labour at a copper smelting furnace to then, after the war, achieving a scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford, and going on to become the first working-class president of the Cambridge Union, in 1951 ... ....(size: 6.4Kb)
Chicago Sun-Times
23 Dec 2012
She uses her “maiden” name rather than her husband’s, recalls her initial preference for a behind-the-scenes role making masks for plays in her college theater studies, and appreciates that her teen son loves to join her for ComEd social functions ... Pramaggiore earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and theater at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, aiming to work in the theater business backstage....(size: 7.7Kb)
The Independent
23 Dec 2012
MSNBC
23 Dec 2012
MIDDLETOWN. Arrests/Citations. Rihanna Allen, 18, Feasterville, 9.09 p.m. Thu, retail theft at Macy's, Oxford Valley Mall. Theft ... AdChoices ... ....(size: 1.4Kb)
noodls
23 Dec 2012
(Source. Oxfordshire County Council) ... These are the B4022 at Hailey; Main Road in North Newington; Fox Lane in Wootton, Abingdon; Witheridge Hill in Stoke Road; Oxford Road, Horspath; B4020 Shilton Road, Burford; B4000 south of Watchfield and Lower Road in Eynsham ... (noodl....(size: 1.8Kb)
DNA India
23 Dec 2012
Christianity faces being wiped out of the "biblical heartlands" in the Middle East because of mounting persecution of worshippers, a new report says ... The report, by the think tank Civitas, says ... That this is not the case tells us much about a questionable hierarchy of victimhood," says the author, Rupert Shortt, a journalist and visiting fellow of Blackfriars Hall at Oxford University ... ....(size: 2.0Kb)
The Gleaner
23 Dec 2012
Audi is on track to achieve its target of selling 1.4 million vehicles worldwide and Jamaica is a key part of that global picture ... We are very strong in China as well as the United States," he said. Meanwhile, the state-of-the-art Audi showroom being constructed along Oxford Road in New Kingston which is slated for completion by the end of next month, will give the dealer ATL Automotives a serious competitive edge ... He explained ... - C.S. ....(size: 2.3Kb)
The Guardian
23 Dec 2012
The son of the novelist and children's author recalls her dramatic life – and wartime work with Margaret Thatcher. Nina Bawden. 'coped with the tragedies in her life by writing about them.' Photograph. Jane Bown for the Observer. Robert Bawden is a GP ... Stories played a major part in my mother's life ... She started writing for a living after Oxford – first as a journalist, then as a novelist – and she never stopped ... She was a great survivor ... ....(size: 4.8Kb)
The Observer
23 Dec 2012
Gareth Barry scores Manchester City's goal in the Premier League win over Reading. Photograph. Andrew Boyers/Action Images. MAN OF THE DAY ... It was enough to stop United opening up an eight-point lead. RUNNER-UP ... In particular, spare a thought for Brighton fans who went all the way to Blackburn, Fleetwood fans who made it to Oxford, Bournemouth's away crowd at Crewe, and Portsmouth's loyal followers, who made it all the way to Hartlepool ... 5....(size: 4.4Kb)
This article is about an Oxford college. For other uses, see Magdalen College (disambiguation).
| Colleges and halls of the University of Oxford The President and Fellows of the College of St Mary Magdalen in the University of Oxford |
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| College name | The President and Fellows of the College of St Mary Magdalen in the University of Oxford | |||||||||||
| Latin name | Collegium Beatae Mariae Magdalenae | |||||||||||
| Motto | Floreat Magdalena | |||||||||||
| Named after | Mary Magdalene | |||||||||||
| Established | 1458 | |||||||||||
| Sister college | Magdalene College, Cambridge | |||||||||||
| President | Professor David Clary FRS | |||||||||||
| Undergraduates | 395 | |||||||||||
| Graduates | 185 | |||||||||||
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 Location of The President and Fellows of the College of St Mary Magdalen in the University of Oxford within central OxfordCoordinates: 51°45′09″N 1°14′49″W / 51.752374°N 1.247077°W / 51.752374; -1.247077 |
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| Blazon | Lozengy ermine and sable, on a chief of the second three lilies argent slipped and seeded or. | |||||||||||
Magdalen College ( /ˈmɔːdlɪn/ MAWD-lin)[1] is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million.[2] Four Magdalen alumni are currently members of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Cabinet.[3]
Magdalen College was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.[4] The founder's statutes included provision for a choral foundation of men and boys (a tradition that has continued to the present day) and made reference to the pronunciation of the name of the College in English. The college received another substantial endowment from the estate of Sir John Fastolf of Caister Castle in Norfolk (1380–1459). Another unrelated college named Magdalen Hall adjacent to Magdalen College eventually became part of Hertford College.[5]
Regarded as one of the most beautiful of the Oxford and Cambridge colleges,[6] Magdalen is also one of the most visited. It stands next to the River Cherwell and has within its grounds a deer park and Addison's Walk. Magdalen College School also lies nearby. The large, square Magdalen Tower is a famous Oxford landmark, and it is a tradition since the days of Henry VII that the college choir sings from the top of it at 6 a.m. on May Morning.[6] The college's current president, Professor David Clary FRS, was earlier a Fellow and Senior Tutor at Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Contents |
Grounds[link]
The college has large grounds, close to the city centre. They stretch north and east from the college, and are most of the area bounded by Longwall Street, the High Street (where the porter's lodge is located), and St Clement's.
The Grove (Deer Park)[link]
This large meadow occupies most of the north west of the college's grounds, from the New Buildings and the Grove Quad up to Holywell Ford. During the winter and spring, it is the home of a herd of Fallow Deer. It is possible to view the meadow (and also the deer) from the path between New Buildings and Grove Quad, and also from the archway in New Buildings.
In the 16th century, long before the introduction of the deer, the grove consisted of gardens, orchards, and bowling greens. During the Civil War, it was used to house a regiment of soldiers. At one point in the 19th century it was home to three traction engines belonging to the works department of the college. By the 20th century it had become well-wooded with many large trees, but most of them were lost to Dutch Elm Disease in the 1970s.
The Meadow (bounded by Addison's Walk)[link]
.jpg)
This triangular meadow lies to the east of the college, bounded on all sides by the River Cherwell. In the spring, it is filled with the flower Fritillaria meleagris (commonly known as Snakeshead Fritillary), which gives it an attractive green-purple colour. These flowers grow in very few places, and have been recorded growing in the meadow since around 1785. Once the flowering has finished, the deer are moved in for the summer and autumn. In wet winters, some or all of the meadow may flood, as the meadow is lower lying than the surrounding path. All around the edge of the meadow is a tree-lined path, Addison's Walk. It is a beautiful and tranquil walk, favoured by students, dons, and visitors alike. It also links the college with Holywell Ford, and the Fellows' Garden.
The Fellows' Garden[link]
File:Magdalen Fellows' Garden.jpg
The Fellows' Garden
Located to the north east of the Meadow, directly behind the new building of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. This long and (fairly) narrow garden follows the Cherwell to the edge of the University Parks . In spring, the ground is covered with flowers. In summer, there are some flowers, many different shrubs, and the varied trees provide dappled cover from the sun. It is linked to Addison's Walk by a bridge.
Buildings[link]
The Great Tower was built between 1492 and 1509 by William Orchard, and is an imposing landmark on the eastern approaches to the city centre. The hall and chapel were built at similar times, though both have undergone some changes in the intervening years.
File:Magdalen Cloisters and New Buildings.jpg
The cloister and the New Building
The Cloister or Great Quad was built in 1474-80 (also by Orchard) and has been altered several times since then. In 1822, the north side was in bad shape, and was knocked down while most of the fellows were away from college (only a small group of fellows were in favour of demolishing it). It was rebuilt shortly afterwards. In the early 1900s, renovations were performed, and it was returned to a more mediaeval character. Student rooms were installed in the (very large) roof space in the 1980s.
The New Building was built across a large lawn to the north of the Great Quad beginning in 1733. Its spacious setting is due to the builders' intentions to create an entirely new quad, but only one side was completed. Edward Gibbon and C. S. Lewis had their rooms in this building, and as there are very few student rooms (many being occupied by tutors), they are highly sought after.
File:Magdalen College, Oxford.jpg
The Cloisters
The college has four other quads. The irregularly shaped St John's Quad is the first on entering the college, and includes the Outdoor Pulpit and old Grammar Hall. It connects to the Great Quad via the Perpendicular Gothic Founder's Tower, which is richly decorated with carvings and pinnacles and has carved bosses in its vault.
The Chaplain's Quad runs along the side of the Chapel and Hall, to the foot of the Great Tower. St Swithun's Quad and Longwall Quad (which contains the Library) date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and make up the southwest corner of the college. The Grove Buildings are the newest, built in the 1990s in a traditional style.
Chapel[link]
The chapel is a place of worship for members of the college and others in the university community and beyond. Its tradition is influenced by the Catholic Revival in the Church of England. Said and sung services are held daily during term. The choir sings Choral Evensong every day at 6pm except on Mondays. On Sundays, Sung Mass is offered in the morning at 11am and Compline (Night Prayer) and Benediction is sung congregationally to plainsong at 10pm. Mass is also sung on major holy days.
Choir[link]
Magdalen is one of the four Choral Foundations in Oxford, meaning that the formation of the choir was part of the statutes of the college, the other three choral foundations being New College, Christ Church, and, since 2007, Merton College.
The choir consists of twelve Academical Clerks who are students at the College, and sixteen boys aged seven to fourteen, all of whom have scholarships at Magdalen College School. The school was originally founded for this express purpose but has long since become an independent public school.
The choristers' day begins at 7:30, with an early morning practice before school. There is further practice immediately after school, followed by Choral Evensong six nights a week, in term; the Tuesday service is sung by the boys only, and the Friday service only by the Academical Clerks. On Sundays there is a practice at 09:30 followed by Eucharist, then a further afternoon practice followed by Evensong which ends at 7pm. As of September 2010, the choristers no longer sing on most Saturday evenings following the formation of the 'Consort of Voices', a mixed voice choir which sings on most Saturdays in full term.
The Choir has numerous College duties as well as a recording and touring schedule. Traditionally the Choir sings at College Gaudies and at other special events throughout the year, as well as performing on social occasions such as Carols by Candlelight before Christmas and the famous May Morning. On this occasion the Choir sings madrigals at 6am from the top of the college bell-tower to the assembled mass of students and townsfolk celebrating in the streets below.
In its long history the choir has had many well known organists, such as Daniel Purcell, Sir John Stainer and Bernard Rose. Among the other notable former directors and masters of the choir, who hold the title of Informator Choristarum, are John Sheppard, Sir William McKie and Haldane Campbell Stewart. Past Organ Scholars include Dudley Moore, and past Academical Clerks include John Mark Ainsley, Harry Christophers (founder and director of The Sixteen), Robin Blaze and conductor/composer Gregory Rose. The former Informator Choristarum was the composer Dr Bill Ives, possibly better known as a former King's Singer. A disc of his music, Listen Sweet Dove, is amongst the choir's latest releases. The College has recently appointed organist Daniel Hyde as Informator Choristarum.
The choir records regularly and In 2005 was nominated for a prestigious Grammy Award for its CD, With a Merrie Noyse, of music by Orlando Gibbons. Other recent works include the BBC's Blue Planet and Paul McCartney's classical piece Ecce Cor Meum.
See also List of organ scholars
University Challenge[link]
Magdalen College has won University Challenge on four occasions - in 1997, 1998, 2004, and 2011. At the time of the fourth win, no other institution had won it more than twice.[7]
Centre for the History of Childhood[link]
Centre for the History of Childhood, situated at Magdalen College, is the first institution within the United Kingdom that focuses on studying every interdisciplinary aspect of the history of children from the Greeks and Romans to the present day.[8]
Sport[link]
Rowing[link]
Magdalen held 'Head of the River' between 2004 and 2007. This means it won the Summer Eights competition in each of these years. Summer Eights is the most prestigious university regatta held in Oxford. The Men's 1st Torpid became Head of the River in the 2008 Torpids; in 2009 they dropped two places. The Women's 1st Torpid became Head of the River in 2010 and retained this headship in 2011. In Summer Eights 2010 the Women's 2nd boat won blades for the first time in its history.
Drama[link]
Magdalen College has a strong drama scene, organised by the Magdalen Players.[9]
College Stamp[link]
A College Stamp was issued in the 1960's and the 1970's to prepay a local delivery of mail by the college porters. It was short-lived and only a few stamps exist.[10]
Notable members[link]
Former members who are current Members of Parliament[link]
Five Magdalen alumni were appointed to the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Cabinet:[3]
- William Hague is the First Secretary of State and Foreign Secretary
- George Osborne is the Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Chris Huhne (a Liberal Democrat) is the former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
- Jeremy Hunt is the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport; and
- Dominic Grieve is the Attorney General
Other alumni in Parliament are:
The politics tutor Stewart Wood is a Labour peer.
Notable students[link]
- Donald Adamson
- Aravind Adiga
- John Mark Ainsley
- Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar
- James Richard Atkin
- Kenneth Baker
- Julian Barnes
- Sir Eric Berthoud
- Sir John Betjeman
- Al-Muhtadee Billah
- Hugh Boulter
- Ashley Bramall
- George Brandis
- Stephen Breyer
- Peter Brook
- Paul Brough
- Nicolas Browne-Wilkinson, Baron Browne-Wilkinson
- Richard Chandler
- Christopher Chataway
- Simon Chesterman
- Harry Christophers
- Wesley Clark
- William Henry Corfield
- Matthew D'Ancona
- Norman Davies
- Michael Denison
- Alfred Denning, Baron Denning
- Christopher Derrick
- Lord Alfred Douglas
- Ronald Dworkin
- Fernanda Eberstadt
- John Carew Eccles, Nobel Laureate (1963, Medicine)
- King Edward VIII (attended when Prince of Wales; did not graduate)
- Michael England
- Gareth Evans
- Russ Feingold
- James Fenton
- Niall Ferguson
- Felipe Fernández-Armesto
- Howard Walter Florey, Nobel Laureate (1945, Medicine)
- John Florio
- Malcolm Fraser
- Accepted Frewen
- J. Paul Getty
- Edward Gibbon
- Martin Gilbert
- Ben Goldacre
- A. C. Grayling
- Brian Greene
- William Hague
- Robert Hardy
- John Hemming
- Giles Henderson
- Robert Peverell Hichens
- Bevis Hillier
- Ian Hislop
- Alan Hollinghurst
- Albert Hourani
- Charles Bousfield Huleatt
- Brian Inglis
- Benedikt Isserlin
- Michael Jay
- Luke Johnson (businessman)
- Paul Johnson
- Keith Joseph
- Anthony King
- Nicholas D. Kristof
- Martha Lane Fox
- John Lyly
- Robert Macfarlane
- Andrew McNeillie
- Terrence Malick
- David Marquand
- Peter Medawar, Nobel Laureate (1960, Medicine)
- Peter Millar
- Katie Mitchell
- Dudley Moore
- Vinicius de Moraes
- Desmond Morris
- Douglas Murray
- George Osborne
- Robert Parker
- Henry Phillpotts
- Stephen Potts
- Hormuzd Rassam
- John Redwood
- Matt Ridley
- William Rodgers, Baron Rodgers of Quarry Bank
- Henry Sacheverell
- Duncan Sandys
- Sir John Scarlett
- Benjamin Schwarz
- John Sergeant
- Siôn Simon
- David Souter
- A. Michael Spence, Nobel Laureate (2001, Economics)
- Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer
- Jon Stallworthy
- Andrew Sullivan
- Louis Theroux
- Gerald Thesiger
- Wilfred Thesiger
- Prince Tomohito of Mikasa
- John Turner
- King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan
- Timothy Ware
- Thomas William Webb
- James Whitbourn
- Oscar Wilde
- George Will
- Lord Frederick Windsor
- George Wither
- Thomas Wolsey
- Simon Woods
(P. G. Wodehouse attributes a Magdalen undergraduateship to his fictional literary character Bertie Wooster; Tibby, in E. M. Forster's Howards End, is also a Magdalen undergraduate, as is Bridey in Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited.)
Notable fellows and Presidents[link]
![[icon]](http://web.archive.org./web/20121223131119/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} |
This section requires expansion. |
- Joseph Addison
- Michael Allingham
- Colin Blakemore
- T. S. R. Boase
- Simon Caney
- R. G. Collingwood
- Laurence Dreyfus
- Robin Dunbar
- Adam Fox
- John Fuller
- E. H. H. Green
- Keith Griffin
- Robert Gunther
- Seamus Heaney, Nobel Laureate (1995, Literature)
- Graham Higman
- George Horne
- Anthony Leggett, Nobel Laureate (2003, Physics)
- C. S. Lewis
- K. B. McFarlane
- Christopher Peacocke
- Daniel Quillen
- Charles Reade
- Robert Robinson, Nobel Laureate (1947, Chemistry)
- Martin Joseph Routh
- Gilbert Ryle
- Charles Scott Sherrington, Nobel Laureate (1932, Medicine)
- Erwin Schrödinger, Nobel Laureate (1933, Physics)
- Nicholas Stargardt
- John Stein
- P. F. Strawson
- Oliver Taplin
- A. J. P. Taylor
- Ralph C. S. Walker
- Geoffrey Warnock
- David Weatherall
- Harvey Whitehouse
Magdalen is also home to five prestigious Waynflete Professorships
References[link]
- ^ "Magdalen (Name)". First Names Dictionary on AskOxford.com. http://www.askoxford.com/firstnames/magdalen?view=uk.
- ^ Oxford College Endowment Incomes, 1973-2006 (updated July 2007)
- ^ a b http://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/nested_content/listings/home_-_news/news/five-members-of-the-new-cabinet-graduated-from-magdalen
- ^ "Magdalen college website". http://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/college/history.
- ^ "Explanation on Magdalen College Website". http://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/libraries-and-archives/archives/about/magdalen_hall_-_a_warning.
- ^ a b Dunton, Larkin (1896). The World and Its People. Silver, Burdett. p. 55.
- ^ http://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/nested_content/listings/home_-_events/events/magdalen-wins-university-challenge-for-a-record-fourth-time
- ^ "History Faculty". http://www.history.ox.ac.uk/research/clusters/history_childhood/index.htm.
- ^ http://www.magdalenplayers.co.uk/
- ^ Journal of the Great Britain Philatelic Society, Volume 48, Number 4, July/August 2010, and Volume 49, Number 4, July/August 2011
External links[link]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Magdalen College, Oxford |
- Official site
- Virtual Tour of Magdalen College
- Magdalen College, Oxford History, map and large photo gallery
- A history of the choristers of Magdalen Chapel, Oxford
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This article is about the city of Oxford in England. For other cities and other meanings, see Oxford (disambiguation).
| Oxford | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — City — | |||
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|
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| Nickname(s): "the City of Dreaming Spires" | |||
| Motto: "Fortis est veritas" "Truth is strength" | |||
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| Coordinates: 51°45′7″N 1°15′28″W / 51.75194°N 1.25778°W / 51.75194; -1.25778 | |||
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom | ||
| Constituent country | England | ||
| Region | South East England | ||
| Ceremonial county | Oxfordshire | ||
| Admin HQ | Oxford City Centre | ||
| Founded | 8th century | ||
| Town charter | |||
| City status | 1542 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | City | ||
| • Governing body | Oxford City Council | ||
| • Lord Mayor – Deputy Lord Mayor |
Cllr Elise Benjamin (2010–2011) (Green Party) | ||
| • Sheriff of Oxford | Jean Fooks (LD) | ||
| • Executive – Council Leader |
Labour Cllr Bob Price |
||
| • MPs | Nicola Blackwood (C) Andrew Smith (L) |
||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 17.60 sq mi (45.59 km2) | ||
| Population (2010 est.) | |||
| • Total | 153,700 (ranked 121st of 326) | ||
| • Density | 8,500/sq mi (3,270/km2) | ||
| • Ethnicity (2005 estimates) |
73.0% White British 9.1% Other White 5.7% South Asian 3.0% Black 2.9% Chinese 2.7% Mixed Race 1.9% Other 1.8% White Irish |
||
| Demonym | Oxonian | ||
| Time zone | GMT (UTC0) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | BST (UTC+1) | ||
| Postcode | OX | ||
| Area code(s) | 01865 | ||
| ISO 3166-2 | GB-OXF | ||
| ONS code | 38UC | ||
| OS grid reference | SP513061 | ||
| NUTS 3 | |||
| Website | www.oxford.gov.uk | ||
Oxford i/ˈɒksfəd/[1] is a city in central southern England, the home of the University of Oxford. The city is the county town of Oxfordshire, and forms a district within the county. It has a population of just under 165,000, of whom 153,900 live within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles (80 km) north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames (also sometimes known as the Isis locally) run through Oxford and meet south of the city centre.
Oxford has a diverse economic base. Its industries include motor manufacturing, education, publishing and a large number of information technology and science-based businesses.
Buildings in Oxford demonstrate an example of every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons, including the iconic, mid-18th century Radcliffe Camera. Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of Oxford's university buildings. The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.[2]
Contents |
History[link]
Main article: History of Oxford
Oxford was first settled in Saxon times, and was initially known as "Oxenaforda", meaning "Ford of the Oxen"; fords were more common than bridges at that time.[3] It began with the foundation of an oxen crossing in the early 900 AD period. In the 10th century Oxford became an important military frontier town between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex and was on several occasions raided by Danes.
Oxford was heavily damaged during the Norman Invasion of 1066. Following the conquest, the town was assigned a governor, Robert D'Oyly, who ordered the construction of Oxford Castle to confirm Norman authority over the area. The castle has never been used for military purposes and its remains survive to this day. D'Oyly set up a monastic community in the castle consisting of a chapel and living quarters for monks (St George in the Castle). The community never grew large but it earned its place in history as one of the oldest places of formal education in Oxford. It is there that in 1139 Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote his History of the Kings of Britain, a compilation of Arthurian legends.[4]
In 1191, a city charter stated in Latin,[5]
"Be it known to all those present and future that we, the citizens of Oxford of the Commune of the City and of the Merchant Guild have given, and by this, our present charter, confirm the donation of the island of Midney with all those things pertaining to it, to the Church of St. Mary at Oseney and to the canons serving God in that place."Since, every year, at Michaelmas the said canons render half a mark of silver for their tenure at the time when we have ordered it as witnesses the legal deed of our ancestors which they made concerning the gift of this same island; and besides, because we have undertaken on our own part and on behalf of our heirs to guarantee the aforesaid island to the same canons wheresoever and against all men; they themselves, by this guarantee, will pay to us and our heirs each year at Easter another half mark which we have demanded; and we and our heirs faithfully will guarantee the aforesaid tenement to them for the service of the aforesaid mark annually for all matters and all services.
"We have made this concession and confirmation in the Common council of the City and we have confirmed it with our common seal. These are those who have made this concession and confirmation."
(There follows a list of witnesses, ending with the phrase, "... and all the Commune of the City of Oxford.")
Oxford's prestige was enhanced by its charter granted by King Henry II, granting its citizens the same privileges and exemptions as those enjoyed by the capital of the kingdom; and various important religious houses were founded in or near the city. A grandson of King John established Rewley Abbey for the Cistercian Order; and friars of various orders (Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, Augustinians, and Trinitarians), all had houses at Oxford of varying importance. Parliaments were often held in the city during the 13th century. The Provisions of Oxford were instigated by a group of barons led by Simon de Montfort; these documents are often regarded as England's first written constitution.
The University of Oxford is first mentioned in 12th century records. As the University took shape, friction between the hundreds of students living where and how they pleased led to a decree that all undergraduates would have to reside in approved halls[citation needed]. Of the hundreds of Aularian houses that sprang up across the city, only St Edmund Hall (c 1225) remains. What put an end to the halls was the emergence of colleges. Oxford's earliest colleges were University College (1249), Balliol (1263) and Merton (1264). These colleges were established at a time when Europeans were starting to translate the writings of Greek philosophers. These writings challenged European ideology – inspiring scientific discoveries and advancements in the arts – as society began to see itself in a new way. These colleges at Oxford were supported by the Church in the hope of reconciling Greek Philosophy and Christian Theology. The relationship between "town and gown" has often been uneasy – as many as 93 students and townspeople were killed in the St Scholastica Day Riot of 1355.
The sweating sickness epidemic in 1517 was particularly devastating to Oxford and Cambridge where it killed half of both cities' populations, including many students and dons.[6]
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford is unique in combining a college chapel and a cathedral in one foundation. Originally the Priory Church of St Frideswide, the building was extended and incorporated into the structure of the Cardinal's College shortly before its refounding as Christ Church in 1546, since when it has functioned as the cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford.
The Oxford Martyrs were tried for heresy in 1555 and subsequently burnt at the stake, on what is now Broad Street, for their religious beliefs and teachings. The three martyrs were the bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, and the Archbishop Thomas Cranmer[citation needed]. The Martyrs' Memorial stands nearby, round the corner to the North on St. Giles.
During the English Civil War, Oxford housed the court of Charles I in 1642, after the king was expelled from London, although there was strong support in the town for the Parliamentarian cause. The town yielded to Parliamentarian forces under General Fairfax in the Siege of Oxford of 1646. It later housed the court of Charles II during the Great Plague of London in 1665–66. Although reluctant to do so, he was forced to evacuate when the plague got too close. The city suffered two serious fires in 1644 and 1671.[7]
In 1790, the Oxford Canal connected the city with Coventry. The Duke's Cut was completed by the Duke of Marlborough in 1789 to link the new canal with the River Thames; and in 1796 the Oxford Canal company built its own link to the Thames, at Isis Lock. In 1844, the Great Western Railway linked Oxford with London via Didcot and Reading,[8][9] and other rail routes soon followed.
In the 19th century, the controversy surrounding the Oxford Movement in the Anglican Church drew attention to the city as a focus of theological thought.
Oxford Town Hall was built by Henry T. Hare; the foundation stone was laid on 6 July 1893 and opened by the future King Edward VII on 12 May 1897. The site has been the seat of local government since the Guild Hall of 1292 and though Oxford is a city and a Lord Mayoralty, the building is still called by its traditional name of "Town Hall".
By the early 20th century, Oxford was experiencing rapid industrial and population growth, with the printing and publishing industries becoming well established by the 1920s. Also during that decade, the economy and society of Oxford underwent a huge transformation as William Morris established Morris Motors Limited to mass produce cars in Cowley, on the south-eastern edge of the city. By the early 1970s over 20,000 people worked in Cowley at the huge Morris Motors and Pressed Steel Fisher plants. By this time Oxford was a city of two halves: the university city to the west of Magdalen Bridge and the car town to the east. This led to the witticism that "Oxford is the left bank of Cowley". Cowley suffered major job losses in the 1980s and 1990s during the decline of British Leyland, but is now producing the successful Mini for BMW on a smaller site. A large area of the original car manufacturing facility at Cowley was demolished in the 1990s and is now the site of the Oxford Business Park.[10]
The influx of migrant labour to the car plants and hospitals, recent immigration from south Asia, and a large student population, have given Oxford a notable cosmopolitan character, especially in the Headington and Cowley Road areas with their many bars, cafes, restaurants, clubs, ethnic shops and fast food outlets. Oxford is one of the most diverse small cities in Britain with the most recent population estimates for 2005.[11] showing that 27% of the population were from ethnic minority groups, including 16.2% from non-white ethnic minority ethnic groups (ONS). These figures do not take into account more recent international migration into the city, with over 10,000 people from overseas registering for National Insurance Numbers in Oxford in 2005/06 and 2006/07.[12]
On 6 May 1954, Roger Bannister, a 25 year old medical student, ran the first authenticated four-minute mile at the Iffley Road running track in Oxford. Although he had previously studied at Oxford University, Bannister was studying at St Mary's Hospital Medical School in London at the time.
Oxford's second university, Oxford Brookes University, formerly the Oxford School of Art, then Oxford Polytechnic, based at Headington Hill, was given its charter in 1991 and has been voted for the last ten years the best new university in the UK.[citation needed] It was named to honour the school's founding principal, John Henry Brookes.
Geography[link]
Oxford's latitude and longitude are 51°45′07″N 1°15′28″W / 51.75194°N 1.25778°W / 51.75194; -1.25778Coordinates: 51°45′07″N 1°15′28″W / 51.75194°N 1.25778°W / 51.75194; -1.25778 or grid reference SP513061 (at Carfax Tower, which is usually considered the centre).
Location[link]
 |
Worcester | Banbury | Bicester, Milton Keynes | |
| Cheltenham |  |
High Wycombe, Aylesbury | ||
 Oxford East |
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 |
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| Wantage, Swindon | Didcot, Newbury, Reading | Slough, Windsor |
Climate[link]
Oxford has a maritime temperate climate ("Cfb" by the Köppen system). Precipitation is uniformly distributed throughout the year and is provided mostly by weather systems that arrive from the Atlantic. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Oxford was −16.6 °C (2.1 °F) in January 1982. The highest temperature ever recorded in Oxford is 35.6 °C (96 °F) in August 2003 during the 2003 European heat wave.
The average conditions below are from the Radcliffe Meteorological Station. It boasts the longest series of temperature and rainfall records for one site in Britain. These records are continuous from January, 1815. Irregular observations of rainfall, cloud and temperature exist from 1767.[13]
| Climate data for Oxford, UK | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 14.7 (58.5) |
18.5 (65.3) |
22.1 (71.8) |
27.1 (80.8) |
30.6 (87.1) |
34.3 (93.7) |
33.9 (93.0) |
35.6 (96.1) |
33.5 (92.3) |
27.3 (81.1) |
19.0 (66.2) |
15.2 (59.4) |
35.6 (96.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 6.8 (44.2) |
7.4 (45.3) |
10.1 (50.2) |
13.0 (55.4) |
16.7 (62.1) |
19.8 (67.6) |
21.7 (71.1) |
21.2 (70.2) |
18.5 (65.3) |
14.2 (57.6) |
9.8 (49.6) |
7.4 (45.3) |
13.9 (57.0) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 1.4 (34.5) |
1.4 (34.5) |
2.5 (36.5) |
4.3 (39.7) |
7.2 (45.0) |
10.2 (50.4) |
12.2 (54.0) |
11.9 (53.4) |
9.8 (49.6) |
6.8 (44.2) |
3.8 (38.8) |
2.1 (35.8) |
6.1 (43.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −16.6 (2.1) |
−16.2 (2.8) |
−10.9 (12.4) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
1.3 (34.3) |
4.4 (39.9) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−5.1 (22.8) |
−8.8 (16.2) |
−16.1 (3.0) |
−16.6 (2.1) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 52.6 (2.071) |
41.0 (1.614) |
41.1 (1.618) |
43.9 (1.728) |
50.6 (1.992) |
53.3 (2.098) |
59.5 (2.343) |
58.3 (2.295) |
60.3 (2.374) |
65.3 (2.571) |
61.8 (2.433) |
55.8 (2.197) |
643.5 (25.335) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 54.3 | 70.3 | 113.3 | 151.8 | 191.8 | 196.9 | 191.6 | 180.3 | 138.3 | 102.8 | 64.4 | 48.8 | 1,504.3 |
| Source: Radcliffe Meteorological Station (NB: Data from the period 1881–2004)[14] | |||||||||||||
Economy[link]
Oxford has a diverse economy, which includes manufacturing, publishing and science-based industries as well as education, research and tourism.[15]
Carmaking[link]
Oxford has been an important centre of motor manufacturing since Morris Motors was established in the city in 1910. The principal production site for Mini cars, now owned by BMW, is in the Oxford suburb of Cowley.
Publishing[link]
Oxford University Press, a department of the University of Oxford, is based in the city, although it no longer operates its own paper mill and printing house. The city is also home to the UK operations of Wiley-Blackwell, and several smaller publishing houses.
Science and technology[link]
The presence of the university has given rise to many science and technology based businesses, including Oxford Instruments, Research Machines and Sophos. The university established Isis Innovation in 1987 to promote technology transfer. The Oxford Science Park was established in 1990, and the Begbroke Science Park, owned by the university, lies north of the city.
Brewing[link]
There is a long history of brewing in Oxford. Several of the colleges had private breweries, one of which, at Brasenose, survived until 1889. In the 16th century brewing and malting appear to have been the most popular trades in the city. There were breweries in Brewers Street and Paradise Street, near the Castle Mill Stream.
The development of Oxford's railway links after the 1840s and the rapid expansion of Oxford supported expansion of the brewing trade in Oxford.[16] As well as expanding the market for Oxford's brewers, railways enabled brewers further from the city to compete for a share of its market.[16] By 1874 there were nine breweries in Oxford and 13 brewers' agents in Oxford shipping beer in from elsewhere.[16] The nine breweries were: Flowers & Co in Cowley Road, Hall's St Giles Brewery, Hall's Swan Brewery (see below), Hanley's City Brewery in Queen Street, Le Mills's Brewery in St. Ebbes, Morrell's Lion Brewery in St Thomas Street (see below), Simonds's Brewery in Queen Street, Weaving's Eagle Brewery (by 1869 the Eagle Steam Brewery) in Park End Street and Wootten and Cole's St. Clement's Brewery.[16]
The Swan's Nest Brewery, later the Swan Brewery, was established by the early 18th century in Paradise Street, and in 1795 was acquired by William Hall.[17] The brewery became known as Hall's Oxford Brewery, which acquired other local breweries. Hall's Brewery was acquired by Samuel Allsopp & Sons in 1926, after which it ceased brewing in Oxford.[18]
Morrell's, the Oxford based regional brewery was founded in 1743 by Richard Tawney. He formed a partnership in 1782 with Mark and James Morrell, who eventually became the owners.[19] After an acrimonious family dispute this much-loved brewery was closed in 1998,[20] the beer brand names being taken over by the Thomas Hardy Burtonwood brewery,[21] while the 132 tied pubs were bought by Michael Cannon, owner of the American hamburger chain Fuddruckers, through a new company, Morrells of Oxford.[22] The new owners sold most of the pubs on to Greene King in 2002.[23] The Lion Brewery was converted into luxury apartments in 2002.[24]
Bellfounding[link]
The Taylor family of Loughborough had a bell-foundry in Oxford between 1786 and 1854.[25]
Shopping[link]
- Broad Street
- Clarendon Shopping Centre
- Cornmarket Street
- George Street
- Golden Cross
- The High Street
- Little Clarendon Street
- Queen Street, Oxford
- The Covered Market
- Turl Street
- Westgate Shopping Centre
- Oxford Castle
- Gloucester Green
Outside the City Centre:
- Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford
- Botley Road, Oxford
- Cowley Retail Park, Cowley, Oxford
- Cowley Road, Oxford
- Iffley Road, Oxford
- London Road, Headington, Oxford
- North Parade, Oxford
- St Clement's, Oxford
- Templars Square shopping centre, Cowley, Oxford
- Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford
- New Botley
Theatres and cinemas[link]
- Burton Taylor Theatre, Gloucester Street
- New Theatre, George Street
- Odeon Cinema, George Street
- Odeon Cinema, Magdalen Street
- Old Fire Station Theatre, George Street
- Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street
- Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road
- O'Reilly Theatre, Blackhall Road
- Phoenix Picturehouse, Walton Street
- Ultimate Picture Palace, Cowley Road
- Vue Cinema, Grenoble Road
Landmarks[link]
Oxford has numerous major tourist attractions, many belonging to the university and colleges. As well as several famous institutions, the town centre is home to Carfax Tower and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, both of which offer views over the spires of the city. Many tourists shop at the historic Covered Market. In the summer punting on the Thames/Isis and the Cherwell is popular.
File:Blackwells Oxford 2.jpg
Blackwells Bookshop
The University of Oxford[link]
Main article: University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English speaking world[26] and one of the most famous and prestigious higher education institutions of the world, averaging five applications to every available place, and attracting 40% of its academic staff and 15% of undergraduates from overseas.[27] It is currently ranked as fifth-best university in the world, according to QS World Rankings,[28] behind its main UK rival, Cambridge, in first place.
Oxford is renowned for its tutorial-based method of teaching, with students attending an average of one one-hour tutorial a week.[27]
The city centre[link]
As well as being a major draw for tourists (9.1 million in 2008, similar in 2009),[29] Oxford city centre has many shops, several theatres, and an ice rink. The historic buildings make this location a popular target for film and TV crews.
The city centre is relatively small, and is centred on Carfax, a cross-roads which forms the junction of Cornmarket Street (pedestrianised), Queen Street (semi-pedestrianised), St Aldate's and The High. Cornmarket Street and Queen Street are home to Oxford's various chain stores, as well as a small number of independent retailers, one of the longest established of which is Boswells, which was founded in 1738.[30] St Aldate's has few shops but has several local government buildings, including the Town Hall, the city police station and local council offices. The High (the word street is traditionally omitted) is the longest of the four streets and has a number of independent and high-end chain stores, but mostly University and College buildings.
There are two small shopping centres in the city centre: The Clarendon Centre[31] and The Westgate Centre.[32] The Westgate Centre is named for the original West Gate in the city wall, and is located at the west end of Queen Street. It is quite small and contains a number of chain stores and a supermarket. The Westgate Shopping Centre is to undergo a large and controversial refurbishment; the plans involve tripling the size of the centre to 750,000 sq ft (70,000 m2), a new 1,335 space underground car park and 90 new shops and bars, including a 230,000 sq ft (21,000 m2) John Lewis department store. There is to be a new and improved transport system, a complete refurbishment of the existing centre and the surrounding Bonn Square area. The development plans include a number of new homes, and completion is expected in 2011, although this is being delayed due to the current financial climate.
Blackwell's Bookshop is a large bookshop which claims the largest single room devoted to book sales in the whole of Europe, the cavernous Norrington Room (10,000 sq ft).
Other attractions[link]
- Ashmolean Museum
- Bodleian Library
- Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
- The Headington Shark
- Modern Art Oxford
- Museum of the History of Science
- Oxford Botanic Garden
- Pitt Rivers Museum
- Sheldonian Theatre
- St. Mary The Virgin Church
Parks and nature walks[link]
Oxford is a very green city, with several parks and nature walks within the ring road, as well as several sites just outside the ring road. In total, 28 Nature Reserves exist within or just outside of Oxford ring road, including:
- University Parks
- Mesopotamia
- Rock Edge Nature Reserve
- Lye Valley
- South Parks
- C. S. Lewis Nature Reserve
- Shotover Nature Reserve
- Port Meadow
Urban redevelopment[link]
The Westgate redevelopment is just part of a wider scheme proposed by the city council. This scheme includes a total redesign of the centre of Oxford to "pedestrianise" the city. The scheme, entitled Transform Oxford, is only a blueprint for public consultation at this stage, but county council officials are confident it will go ahead.
One of the key elements is the pedestrianisation of Queen Street, with bus stops removed next summer to make way for the eventual complete removal of buses from the street.
Pedestrianisation schemes in George Street and Magdalen Street should follow in the summer of 2010, with the removal of traffic from Broad Street the same year a possibility.
In 2011, highways engineers plan to remodel the Frideswide Square junctions near the railway station, removing traffic lights and introducing roundabouts to improve the traffic flow.
Transport[link]
Air[link]
In addition to the larger airports in the region, Oxford is served by nearby London Oxford Airport, in Kidlington. The airport is also home to Oxford Aviation Academy, an airline pilot flight training centre, and several private jet companies.
Buses[link]
The bus services are mainly provided by the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach Oxfordshire. Other operators include Thames Travel, Arriva Shires & Essex and several smaller companies.
Oxford has 5 park and ride sites with bus links to the city centre:
- Pear Tree (bus 300)
- Redbridge (bus 300)
- Seacourt (bus 400)
- Thornhill (bus 400)
- Water Eaton (bus 500)
There are also bus services to the John Radcliffe Hospital (from Thornhill/Water Eaton) and to the Churchill and Nuffield Hospitals (from Thornhill).
Hybrid buses, which use battery power with a small diesel generator, began to be used in Oxford on 15 July 2010, on Stagecoach Oxfordshire's Route 1 (Cowley, Blackbird Leys), followed by other routes.[33]
Coach[link]
The Oxford to London coach route offers a frequent coach service to London. The X90 (formerly the Oxford Espress [sic]) is operated by the Oxford Bus Company. The Oxford Tube is operated by Stagecoach Oxfordshire. The Oxford Bus Company also runs the Airline services to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
There is a bus station at Gloucester Green, used mainly by the London and airport buses, National Express coaches, and other long-distance buses including route X5 to Milton Keynes and Cambridge.
Rail[link]
In 1844, the Great Western Railway linked Oxford with London (Paddington) via Didcot and Reading;[8][9] in 1851, the London and North Western Railway opened their own route from Oxford to London (Euston), via Bicester, Bletchley and Watford;[34] and in 1864 a third route, also to Paddington, running via Thame, High Wycombe and Maidenhead, was provided;[35] this was shortened in 1906 by the opening of a direct route between High Wycombe and London (Paddington) via Denham.[36] The distance from Oxford to London was 78 miles (125.5 km) via Bletchley; 63.5 miles (102.2 km) via Didcot and Reading; 63.25 miles (101.8 km) via Thame and Maidenhead;[37] and 55.75 miles (89.7 km) via Denham.[36] Of these, only the original route via Didcot is still in use for its full length, although portions of each of the others remain.
There were also routes to the north and west. The line to Banbury was opened in 1850,[38] and was extended to Birmingham in 1852;[39] a route to Worcester opened in 1853.[40] A branch to Witney was opened in 1862,[41] which was extended to Fairford in 1873.[42] The line to Witney and Fairford closed in 1962, but the others remain open.
Oxford has had three main railway stations. The first was opened at Grandpont in 1844,[43] but this was a terminus, inconvenient for routes to the north;[38] it was replaced by the present station on Park End Street in 1852 with the opening of the Birmingham route.[39] Another terminus, at Rewley Road, was opened in 1851 to serve the Bletchley route;[44] this station closed in 1951.[45] There have also been a number of local railway stations, all of which are now closed.
Oxford railway station is half a mile (about 1 km) west of the city centre. The station is served by numerous routes, including CrossCountry services to as far away as Manchester and Edinburgh, First Great Western (who operate the station) services to London Paddington and other destinations such as Worcester and occasional Chiltern Railways services to Birmingham. The present station opened in 1852. Oxford is the junction for a short branch line to Bicester, which is being extended to form the East-West Rail Link to Milton Keynes, providing a passenger route avoiding London. The Varsity Line between Oxford and Cambridge is planned to link Bedford with a short gap to be reconstructed to Sandy then a rail link between the two cities will be restored via Hitchin.
River and canal[link]
Oxford was historically an important port on the River Thames, with this section of the river being called The Isis; the Oxford-Burcot Commission in the 17th century attempted to improve navigation to Oxford.[46] Iffley Lock and Osney Lock lie within the bounds of the city. In the eighteenth century the Oxford Canal was built to connect Oxford with the Midlands.[47]
Commercial traffic has given way to recreational use of the river and canal. Oxford was the original base of Salters Steamers and there is a regular service from Folly Bridge downstream to Abingdon and beyond.
A roads[link]
The city has a ring road that consists of the A34, the A40, A4142 and the A423. It is mostly dual carriageway and was completed in 1966.
The main roads that lead out of Oxford are:
- A34 – which leads to Bicester, the M40 north, Birmingham and Manchester to the north (although since the M40's completion it has disappeared north of Oxford and only re-emerged some 50 miles (80 km) northwards at Solihull), and Didcot, Newbury and Winchester to the south. Since the completion of the Newbury by-pass in 1998, the A34 has been entirely grade separated dual carriageway all the way from Bicester to Winchester.
- A40 – which leads to London and High Wycombe (as well as the M40 motorway south) to the east, and Cheltenham, Gloucester and south Wales to the west.
- A44 – which begins in Oxford and leads to Worcester, Hereford and Aberystwyth.
- A420 – which also begins in Oxford and leads to Bristol passing Swindon and Chippenham.
Motorway[link]
The city is served by the M40 motorway, which connects London to Birmingham. The M40 approached Oxford in 1974 (the first section through Buckinghamshire opened in 1967) and went from London to Waterstock where the A40 continued to Oxford. When the M40 extension to Birmingham was completed in January 1991, a mile of the old motorway became a spur as the extension curved sharply north. The M40 comes no closer than 10 miles (16 km) away from the city centre, curving to the east of Otmoor. The M40 meets the A34 to the north of Oxford, the latter now being in two parts, the A34 restarting near Solihull, while the A41 (which previous passed through Banbury and Warwick) restarts in the same area.
Education[link]
Schools[link]
Main article: List of schools in Oxfordshire
Oxford is home to wide range of schools many of which receive pupils from around the world. There are two University choral foundation schools, Christ Church Cathedral School and New College School, established to educate the boy choristers of the chapel choirs, and have kept the tradition of single sex education. Magdalen College School was also a school for choristers but later became a grammar school and then independent school. St Edward's is another leading independent HMC member school and is the one of the few fully co-educational public schools in the county. Other independent schools in Oxford include Oxford High School, Rye St Antony School and Headington School (all girls only), St. Clare's, Oxford (co-ed, international school), Greene's Tutorial College (post-GCSE) and two prep schools, Dragon School and Emmanuel Christian School.
Examination results in state-run Oxford schools are consistently below the national average and regional average. However, results in the city are improving with 44% of pupils gaining 5 grades A*-C in 2006.[48] The city and its suburbs are served by two academies, three state schools and a voluntary-aided Catholic school.
Tertiary[link]
There are two universities in Oxford, the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University, as well as the further education institution Ruskin College. Oxford is also now home to the international headquarters of the SAE Institute, the world's largest creative media college.
Media[link]
As well as the BBC national radio stations, Oxford and the surrounding area has several local stations, including BBC Oxford, Heart Thames Valley, Glide FM and Jack FM on 106.8 along with Oxide: Oxford Student Radio[49] (which went on terrestrial radio at 87.7 MHz FM in late May 2005). A local TV station, Six TV: The Oxford Channel was also available but closed in April 2009.[50] The city is home to a BBC TV newsroom which produces an opt-out from the main South Today programme broadcast from Southampton.
Popular local papers include The Oxford Times (compact; weekly), its sister papers The Oxford Mail (tabloid; daily) and The Oxford Star (tabloid; free and delivered), and Oxford Journal (tabloid; weekly free pick-up). Oxford is also home to several advertising agencies.
Daily Information (known locally as Daily Info) is an events and advertising news sheet which has been published since 1964 and now provides a connected website.
Nightshift is a monthly local free magazine that has covered the Oxford music scene since 1991.[51]
In 2003 DIY grassroots non-corporate media has begun to spread.[52] Independent and community newspapers include the Jericho Echo[53] and Oxford Prospect.[54]
Culture[link]
Literature and film[link]
Main articles: Literature in Oxford and List of films shot in Oxford
Well-known Oxford-based authors include:
- Oscar Wilde a nineteenth century poet and author who attended Oxford from 1874 to 1878.
- John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir attended Brasenose College. Best known for his The Thirty-nine Steps, authored 32 novels and many more volumes of history, poetry and essays.
- Susan Cooper who is best known for her The Dark Is Rising Sequence
- Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), Student and Mathematical Lecturer of Christ Church.
- Colin Dexter who wrote and set his Inspector Morse detective novels in Oxford. Colin Dexter still lives in Oxford.
- John Donaldson (d.1989), a poet resident in Oxford in later life.
- Siobhan Dowd Oxford resident; who was an undergraduate at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
- Kenneth Grahame educated at St. Edward's School, Oxford
- Michael Innes (J. I. M. Stewart), of Christ Church.
- P. D. James who lives part-time in Oxford.
- T. E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia", Oxford resident, undergraduate at Jesus, postgraduate at Magdalen.
- C. S. Lewis, student at University College and Fellow of Magdalen.
- Alex Ryan, formerly an Oxford resident for many years.
- Iris Murdoch, Fellow of St Anne's.
- Iain Pears, undergraduate at Wadham and Oxford resident, whose novel An Instance of the Fingerpost is set in the city.
- Philip Pullman who was an undergraduate at Exeter.
- Dorothy L. Sayers who was an undergraduate at Somerville.
- J. R. R. Tolkien, undergraduate at Exeter and later professor of English at Merton
- John Wain, undergraduate at St John's and later Professor of Poetry at Oxford University 1973–78
- Charles Williams, editor at Oxford University Press.
- Brian Aldiss who lives in Oxford.
Oxford appears in the following works:
- "The Scarlet Pimpernel"
- "Harry Potter" (all the films to date)
- The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica by James A. Owen
- Jude the Obscure (1895) by Thomas Hardy (in which Oxford is thinly disguised as "Christminster").
- Zuleika Dobson (1911) by Max Beerbohm.
- Gaudy Night (1935) by Dorothy L. Sayers.
- Brideshead Revisited (1945) by Evelyn Waugh.
- A Question of Upbringing (1951 ) by Anthony Powell
- Second Generation (1964 novel) by Raymond Williams
- Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) by Steven Spielberg
- Where The Rivers Meet (1988) trilogy set in Oxford by John Wain
- All Souls (1989) by Javier Marías
- The Children of Men (1992) by P. D. James.
- Doomsday Book (1992) by Connie Willis
- His Dark Materials (1995 onwards) by Philip Pullman
- "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997)
- "The Saint" (1997)
- "102 Dalmatians" (2000)
- Endymion Spring (2006) by Matthew Skelton
- The Oxford Murders (2008)
- The Oxford Virus (2010) by Adam Kolczynski
- Mr. Nice (2010) The story of Howard Marks
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
Music[link]
Oxford, and its surrounding towns and villages, have produced many successful bands and musicians. The most notable Oxford act is Radiohead, who hail from nearby Abingdon, though other well known local bands include Supergrass, Ride, Swervedriver, Talulah Gosh and more recently, Young Knives, Foals and Stornoway. These and many other bands from over 30 years of the Oxford music scene's history feature in the documentary film Anyone Can Play Guitar.
In 1997, Oxford played host to Radio 1's Sound City, with acts such as Bentley Rhythm Ace, Embrace, Spiritualized and DJ Shadow playing in various venues around the city.[55]
Sport[link]
The town's leading football club, Oxford United, are currently in League Two, the fourth tier of league football, and have enjoyed great success in the past in the upper reaches of the football league. They were elected to the Football League in 1962, reached the Third Division after three years and the Second Division after six, and most notably reached the First Division in 1985 – a mere 23 years after joining the Football League. They spent three seasons in the top flight, winning the Football League Cup a year after promotion. The next 18 years that followed relegation in 1988 saw their fortunes decline gradually, though a brief respite in 1996 saw them win promotion to the new (post Premier League) Division One in 1996 and stay there for three years. They suffered relegation to the Football Conference in 2006, staying there for four seasons before returning to the Football League in 2010. They play at the Kassam Stadium (named after former chairman Firoz Kassam), which is situated near the Blackbird Leys housing estate and has been their home since relocation from the Manor Ground in 2001. The club's notable former managers include Ian Greaves, Jim Smith, Maurice Evans, Brian Horton and Denis Smith. Notable former players include John Aldridge, Ray Houghton, Tommy Caton, Matt Elliott, Nigel Jemson and Dean Whitehead.
Oxford City F.C. is a semi-professional football club, separate from Oxford United. It plays in the Southern Football League Premier Division. Oxford City Nomads F.C. are another semi-professional football club, who ground share with Oxford City F.C. and play in the Hellenic league. Oxford Harlequins RFC is the city's main rugby team and plays in the National 3 South West league.
Oxford Cheetahs motorcycle speedway team has raced at Cowley Stadium on and off since 1939. The Cheetahs competed in the Speedway Elite League and then the Speedway Conference League until 2007, when stadium landlords Greyhound Racing Association apparently doubled the rent.[citation needed] Speedway is not currently running in Oxford.
There are several field hockey clubs based in Oxford. The Oxford Hockey Club (formed after a merger of City of Oxford HC and Rover Oxford HC in 2011) plays most of its home games on the pitch at Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, and also uses the pitches at Headington Girls' School and Iffley Road. Oxford Hawks has two astroturf pitches at Banbury Road North, by Cutteslowe Park to the north of the city.
Oxford City Stars is the local Ice Hockey Team which plays at Oxford Ice Rink. There is a senior/adults’ team[56] and a junior/children’s team.[57]
Oxford is also home to the Oxford City Rowing Club which is situated near Donnington Bridge.
International relations[link]
 |
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2012) |
Oxford is twinned with:
- Bonn, Germany
- Grenoble, France[58]
- Leiden, Netherlands
- León, Nicaragua
- Perm, Russia
- Umeå, Sweden
- Saskatoon, Canada
See also[link]
Gallery[link]
-
The Sheldonian Theatre in 2009
-
Keble College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford
-
Night view of High Street with Christmas lights - one of Oxford's main streets
-
Floral display in Oxford city centre in 2001
-
All Souls College looking east up the High Street from St Mary's Church
-
The Bridge of Sighs links sections of Hertford College as seen from Catte Street leading into New College Lane.
-
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin as seen from Radcliffe Square.
-
A view of Broad Street, Oxford, showing the main entrances to Trinity and Balliol Colleges, and obliquely, the frontage of Exeter College from the Sheldonian Theatre.
-
Carfax Tower at Carfax, the confluence of the High Street, Cornmarket and St Aldate's streets in what is considered by many to be the centre of the city.
-
The High Street as viewed from St Mary's, looking east, with Magdalen College in the distant background.
-
Merton College as viewed from the Oriel Square entrance to Merton Street.
References[link]
- Notes
- ^ Upton, Clive, et al, ed. (2001). The Oxford Dictionary of Pronunciation for Current English. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. p. 734. ISBN 978-0-19-863156-9.
- ^ Sager 2005, p. 36.
- ^ "A Handy Guide to Oxford, ch. 2". Penelope.uchicago.edu. http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Great_Britain/England/Oxfordshire/Oxford/_Texts/FLEOXF/2*.html#hijinks. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ Chris Andrews, David Huelin; Oxford. Introduction & Guide; Oxford 1986
- ^ "Oxford charter 1191". whatdotheyknow.com. http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/oxford_charter_1191#incoming-2650. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ The Sweating Sickness[dead link]. Story of London.
- ^ Cockayne, Emily (2007). Hubbub: Filth Noise & Stench in England. Yale University Press. pp. 134–136. ISBN 978-0-300-13756-9.
- ^ a b Simpson 1997, p. 59.
- ^ a b Simpson 2001, p. 9.
- ^ Oxford City Council[dead link].
- ^ Neighbourhood Statistics. "ONS Population Estimates 2005". Neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/instanceSelection.do?JSAllowed=true&Function=&24ph=60_61&CurrentPageId=61&step=2&datasetFamilyId=1809&instanceSelection=121810&Next.x=4&Next.y=4. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ "Department for Work and Pensions". Dwp.gov.uk. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/niall/nino_allocation.asp. Retrieved 17 April 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Radcliffe Meteorological Station". http://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/research/climate/rms/. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
- ^ "Summary of Long Period of Obsevations". http://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/research/climate/rms/summary.html. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
- ^ "Economic Profile of Oxford". Oxford City Council. http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decB/Economic_Profile_of_Oxford_occw.htm. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
- ^ a b c d Woolley, Liz (2010). "Industrial Architecture in Oxford, 1870 to 1914". Oxoniensia (Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society) LXXV: 78. ISSN 0308-5562.
- ^ Page, W.H., ed. (1907). A History of the County of Oxford, Volume 2: Industries: Malting and Brewing. Victoria County History. Archibald Constable & Co. pp. 225–277. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=101945#s12.
- ^ Richmond, Lesley; Turton, Alison (1990). The Brewing industry: a guide to historical records. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-7190-3032-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=NB8NAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA165&lpg=PA165&dq.
- ^ "History of Headington, Oxford". Headington.org.uk. 19 April 2009. http://www.headington.org.uk/history/famous_people/morrellfamily.htm. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ "Morrells Brewery up for sale". Archive.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk. http://archive.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/1998/7/9/85120.html. Retrieved 17 April 2010. [dead link]
- ^ www.quaffale.org.uk (22 September 2001). "Morrells Brewery Ltd". Quaffale.org.uk. http://www.quaffale.org.uk/php/brewery/479. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ "Jericho Echo". Pstalker.com. http://www.pstalker.com/echo/f_45a.html. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ "England | Brewer buys pub chain for £67m". BBC News. 18 June 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/england/2051362.stm. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ "Brewery site plan nears final hurdle". Archive.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk. 19 February 2001. http://archive.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/2001/2/19/69009.html. Retrieved 17 April 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Bell Founders". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. http://dove.cccbr.org.uk/founders.php. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ A brief history of the University - University of Oxford
- ^ a b Facts and Figures - University of Oxford
- ^ QS World University Rankings - Topuniversities
- ^ Hearn, Dan (19 August 2009). "Oxford tourism suffers triple whammy". Oxford Mail. http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4555044.Oxford_tourism_suffers_triple_whammy/. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "About Boswells". Boswells-online.co.uk. http://www.boswells-online.co.uk//mall/infopageviewer.cfm/Boswells/AboutUs. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
- ^ "Clarendon Shopping Centre". Clarendoncentre.co.uk. http://www.clarendoncentre.co.uk/. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
- ^ "Visit Oxford's premier shopping centre — the Westgate Shopping Centre". Oxfordcity.co.uk. 18 May 2009. http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/shops/westgate/. Retrieved 10 January 2010. [dead link]
- ^ Little, Reg (15 July 2010). "Transport revolution". The Oxford Times (Oxford: Newsquest (Oxfordshire) Ltd): pp. 1–2. http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/8272347.Green_revolution_on_buses/. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ Simpson 1997, p. 101.
- ^ Simpson 2001, p. 57.
- ^ a b MacDermot 1931, p. 432.
- ^ Cooke 1960, p. 70.
- ^ a b MacDermot 1927, p. 300.
- ^ a b MacDermot 1927, p. 327.
- ^ MacDermot 1927, p. 498.
- ^ MacDermot 1927, p. 551.
- ^ MacDermot 1931, p. 27.
- ^ MacDermot 1927, pp. 180–181.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 2005, Historical Background.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 2005, fig. 8.
- ^ Thacker, Fred. S. (1968) [1920]. The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs. Newton Abbot: David and Charles.
- ^ Compton, Hugh J (1976). The Oxford Canal. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. OCLC 76-54077.
- ^ DfES Pupil Annual School Level Census 2006 see Neighbourhood Renewal Unit floor target results[dead link]
- ^ "Oxford Student Radio". oxideradio.co.uk. http://www.oxideradio.co.uk/. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ "Milestone Group". Milestone Group. http://www.milestonegroup.co.uk/310309.pdf. Retrieved 17 April 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Preview: Nightshift night", "Oxford Mail", 6 July 2000
- ^ "UK Indymedia – Oxford indymedia". Indymedia.org.uk. http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/. Retrieved 17 April 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Jericho Echo". Jericho Echo. http://www.jerichoecho.org.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ "Oxford Prospect". Oxford Prospect. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ "Discography for NME Compilation Cassette for Oxford Sound City". http://www.discogs.com/Various-NME-Presents-Radio-1-Sound-City-Oxford-97/release/694954.
- ^ Oxford Stars senior/adults’ team
- ^ Oxford Stars junior/children’s team
- ^ Jérôme Steffenino, Marguerite Masson. "Ville de Grenoble – Coopérations et villes jumelles". Grenoble.fr. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071014074034/http://www.grenoble.fr/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?page_id=92. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2010) |
- Bibliography
- Cooke, B.W.C., ed. (January 1960). "The Why and the Wherefore: Distances from London to Oxford". The Railway Magazine (Westminster: Tothill Press) 106 (705).
- MacDermot, E.T. (1927). History of the Great Western Railway, vol. I: 1833–1863. Paddington: Great Western Railway.
- MacDermot, E.T. (1931). History of the Great Western Railway, vol. II: 1863–1921. Paddington: Great Western Railway.
- Mitchell, Vic; Smith, Keith (July 2005). Oxford to Bletchley. Country Railway Routes. Middleton Press. ISBN 1-904474-57-8.
- Sager, Peter (2005). Oxford & Cambridge: An Uncommon History. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-51249-3.
- Saint, Andrew (1970). "Three Oxford Architects". Oxonensia (Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society) XXXV. http://www.oahs.org.uk/oxo/vol%2035/Saint.doc.
- Simpson, Bill (1997). A History of the Railways of Oxfordshire. Part 1: The North. Banbury and Witney: Lamplight. ISBN 1-899246-02-9.
- Simpson, Bill (2001). A History of the Railways of Oxfordshire. Part 2: The South. Banbury and Witney: Lamplight. ISBN 1-899246-06-1.
- Further reading
- Aston, Michael; Bond, James (1976). The Landscape of Towns. Archaeology in the Field Series. London: J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd. ISBN 0-460-04194-0.
- Attlee, James (2007). Isolarion: A Different Oxford Journey. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-03093-7.
- Curl, James Stevens (1977). The Erosion of Oxford. Oxford Illustrated Press Ltd. ISBN 0-902280-40-6.
- Dale, Lawrence (1944). Towards a Plan for Oxford City. London: Faber and Faber.
- Gordon, Anne (22 June 2008). "History, learning, beauty reign over Oxford". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/travel/getaways/europe/articles/2008/06/22/history_learning_beauty_reign_over_oxford/.
- Morris, Jan (2001). Oxford. Oxford: Oxford Paperbacks. ISBN 978-0-19-280136-4.
- Sharp, Thomas (1948). Oxford Replanned. London: The Architectural Press.
- Tyack, Geoffrey (1998). Oxford An Architectural Guide. Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-817423-3.
External links[link]
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- Oxford – 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article
- Oxford City Council official website
- School of Architecture website
- Oxford From Above BBC program
- Oxford travel guide from Wikitravel
- Oxford at the Open Directory Project
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William Byrd (1540 or late 1539 – 4 July 1623) was an English composer of the Renaissance. He wrote in many of the forms current in England at the time, including various types of sacred and secular polyphony, keyboard (the so-called Virginalist school) and consort music.
Contents
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Provenance[link]
Knowledge of Byrd's biography expanded in the late 20th century, thanks largely to the research of John Harley (Harley, 1997). Following the discovery of a document dated 2 October 1598 in which Byrd's age is given as "58 years or there abouts," it now appears that he was born in 1540. The older dating 1542–3 is derived from Byrd's will (endorsed on 22 November 1622) which describes him as 'in the 80th year of my age'. It now becomes clear that it must have been drafted about three years earlier than the date of endorsement. Byrd was born in London, the son of a Thomas Byrd (not Thomas Byrd of the Chapel Royal) about whom little is known. Byrd had two brothers, Symon'd and John, and four sisters. It is clear from a reference in the prefatory material in the Tallis/Byrd Cantiones of 1575 that Byrd was a pupil of Thomas Tallis, then the leading composing member of the Chapel Royal Choir. Byrd also worked in collaboration with two other Chapel Royal singing-men, John Sheppard and William Mundy, on one of his earliest compositions, a contribution to a joint setting of the alternatim psalm In exitu Israel composed for the procession to the font at the Paschal Vigil. As an item for the Sarum liturgy this was presumably composed near the end of the reign of Mary Tudor (1553–1558), whose Catholic beliefs impelled her to revive Sarum liturgical practices during her brief reign. In view of these contacts it is reasonable to speculate that Byrd was a Chapel Royal choirboy, though the surviving records do not name the choristers individually.
Early years[link]
A few other compositions by Byrd should probably be assigned to his teenage years. Apart from his contribution to In exitu Israel (Similes illis fiant a4), these include his setting of the Easter responsory Christus resurgens (a4) which was not published until 1605, but which as another Sarum liturgical unit could also have been composed during Mary's reign. Some of the hymns and antiphons for keyboard and for consort may also date from this period, though it is also possible that the consort pieces may have been composed in Lincoln for the musical training of choirboys.
Byrd's first known professional employment was as organist and choirmaster of Lincoln Cathedral, a post which he held from 25 March 1563. Residing at 6 Minster Yard Lincoln, he remained in post until 1572. His period at Lincoln was not entirely trouble-free, for on 19 November 1569 the Dean and Chapter cited him for ‘certain matters alleged against him’ as the result of which his salary was suspended. Since Puritanism was influential at Lincoln, it is possible that the allegations were connected with over-elaborate choral polyphony or organ playing. A second directive dated 29 November issued detailed instructions regarding Byrd's use of the organ in the liturgy. On 14 September 1568 Byrd married Julian Birley, a long-lasting and fruitful union which produced at least seven children.
The 1560s were also important formative years for Byrd the composer. The Short Service, an unpretentious setting of items for the Anglican Matins, Communion and Evensong services, which seems to designed to comply with the Protestant reformers’ demand for clear words and simple musical textures, may well have been composed during the Lincoln years. It is at any rate clear that Byrd was composing Anglican church music, for when he left Lincoln the Dean and Chapter continued to pay him at a reduced rate on condition that he would send the cathedral his compositions. Byrd had also taken serious strides with instrumental music. The seven In Nomine settings for consort (two a4 and five a5), at least one of the consort fantasias (Neighbour F1 a6) and a number of important keyboard works have been assigned to the Lincoln years. The latter include the Ground in Gamut (described as 'Mr Byrd's old ground') by his future pupil Thomas Tomkins, the A minor fantasia and probably the first of Byrd's great series of keyboard pavans and galliards, a composition which was transcribed by Byrd from an original for five-part consort. All these show Byrd gradually emerging as a major figure on the Elizabethan musical landscape.
Some sets of keyboard variations, such as The Hunt's Up and the imperfectly preserved set on Gypsies’ Round also seem to be early works. As we have seen, Byrd had begun setting Latin liturgical texts as a teenager, and he seems to have continued to do so at Lincoln. Two exceptional large-scale psalm motets, Ad Dominum cum tribularer (a8) and Domine quis habitabit (a9), are Byrd's contribution to a genre cultivated by Robert White and Robert Parsons. De lamentatione, another early work, is a contribution to the Elizabethan practice of setting groups of verses from the Lamentations of Jeremiah following the format of the Tenebrae lessons sung in the Catholic rite during the last three days of Holy Week, other contributors including Tallis, White, Parsley and the elder Ferrabosco. It is likely that this practice was an expression of Elizabethan Catholic nostalgia, as a number of the texts suggest.
The Chapel Royal[link]
Byrd obtained the prestigious post of Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1572 following the death of Robert Parsons, a gifted composer who drowned in the Trent near Newark on 25 January of that year. Almost from the outset Byrd is named as ‘organist’, which however was not a designated post but an occupation for any Chapel Royal member capable of filling it. This career move vastly increased Byrd's opportunities to widen his scope as a composer and also to make contacts at Court. Queen Elizabeth (1558–1603) was a moderate Protestant who eschewed the more extreme forms of Puritanism and retained a fondness for elaborate ritual, besides being a music lover and keyboard player herself. Byrd's output of Anglican church music (defined in the strictest sense as sacred music designed for performance in church) is surprisingly small, but it stretches the limits of elaboration then regarded as acceptable by some reforming Protestants who regarded highly wrought music as a distraction from the Word of God.
Cantiones quae ab argumento sacrae vocantur (1575)[link]
In 1575 Byrd and Tallis were jointly granted a patent for the printing of music and ruled music paper for 21 years, one of a number of patents issued by the Crown for the printing of books on various subjects. The two musicians used the services of the French Huguenot printer Thomas Vautrollier, who had settled in England and previously produced an edition of a collection of Lassus chansons in London (Receuil du mellange, 1570). The two monopolists took advantage of the patent to produce a grandiose joint publication under the title Cantiones que ab argumento sacrae vocantur consisting of 34 Latin motets dedicated to the Queen herself and accompanied by elaborate prefatory matter including poems in Latin elegiacs by the schoolmaster Richard Mulcaster and the young courtier Ferdinand Heybourne (aka Richardson). There are 17 motets each by Tallis and Byrd, one for each year of the Queen's reign.
Byrd's contribution to the Cantiones is highly variegated in character. The inclusion of Laudate pueri (a6) which proves to be an instrumental fantasia with words added after composition, is one sign that Byrd had some difficulty in assembling enough material for the collection. Diliges Dominum (a8), which may also originally have been untexted, is an eight-in-four retrograde canon of little musical interest. Also belonging to the more archaic stratum of motets is Libera me Domine (a5), a cantus firmus setting of the ninth responsory at Matins for the Office for the Dead, which takes its point of departure from the setting by Robert Parsons, while Miserere mihi (a6), a setting of a Compline antiphon often used by Tudor composers for didactic cantus firmus exercises, incorporates a four-in-two canon. Tribue Domine (a6) is a large-scale sectional composition setting a from a medieval collection of Meditationes which was commonly attributed to St Augustine,[1] composed in a style which owes much to earlier Tudor settings of votive antiphons as a mosaic of full and semichoir passages. Byrd sets it in three sections, each beginning with a semichoir passage in archaic style.
Byrd's contribution to the Cantiones also includes compositions in a more forward-looking manner which point the way forwards to his motets of the 1580s. Some of them show the influence of the motets of Alfonso Ferrabosco I (1543–1588), a Bolognese musician who worked in the Tudor court at intervals between 1562 and 1578. Ferrabosco's motets provided direct models for Byrd's Emendemus in melius (a5), O lux beata Trinitas (a6), Domine secundum actum meum (a6) and Siderum rector (a5) as well as a more generalized paradigm for what Joseph Kerman has called Byrd's 'affective-imitative' style, a method of setting pathetic texts in extended paragraphs based on subjects employing curving lines in fluid rhythm and contrapuntal techniques which Byrd learnt from his study of Ferrabosco.
The Cantiones were a financial failure. In 1577 Byrd and Tallis were forced to petition Queen Elizabeth for financial help pleading that the publication had 'fallen oute to oure greate losse' and that Tallis was now 'verie aged'. They were subsequently granted the leasehold on various lands in East Anglia and the West Country for a period of 21 years.
Catholicism[link]
From the early 1570s onwards Byrd became increasingly involved with Catholicism, which, as the scholarship of the last half-century has demonstrated, became a major factor in his personal and creative life. As John Harley has shown, it is probable that Byrd's parental family were Protestants, though whether by deeply-felt conviction or nominal conformism is not clear. Byrd himself may have held Protestant beliefs in his youth, for a recently discovered fragment of a setting of an English translation of Luther's hymn Erhalt uns, Herr, bei Deinem Wort, which bears an attribution to 'Birde' includes the line 'From Turk and Pope defend us Lord'.[2] However, from the 1570s onwards he is found associating with known Catholics, including Lord Thomas Paget, to whom he wrote a petitionary letter on behalf of an unnamed friend in 1573. Byrd's wife Julian was first cited for recusancy (refusing to attend Anglican services) at Harlington in Middlesex, where the family now lived, in 1577. Byrd himself appears in the recusancy lists from 1584.
His involvement with Catholicism took on a new dimension in the 1580s. Following Pius V's Papal Bull of 1570, which absolved Elizabeth's subjects from allegiance to her and effectively made her an outlaw in the eyes of the Catholic Church, Catholicism became increasingly identified with sedition in the eyes of the Tudor authorities. With the influx of missionary priests trained in the English Colleges in Douai and Rome from the 1570s onwards relations between the authorities and the Catholic community took a further turn for the worse. Byrd himself is found in the company of prominent Catholics. In 1583 he got into serious trouble because of his association with Lord Thomas Paget, who was suspected of involvement in the Throckmorton Plot, and for sending money to Catholics abroad. As a result of this Byrd's membership of the Chapel Royal was suspended for a time, restrictions were placed on his movements and his house was placed on the search list. In 1586 he attended a gathering at a country house in the company of Father Henry Garnett (later executed for complicity in the Gunpowder Plot) and the Catholic poet Robert Southwell.
Byrd's commitment to the Catholic cause found expression in his motets, of which he composed about 50 between 1575 and 1591. While the texts of the motets included by Byrd and Tallis in the 1575 Cantiones have a High Anglican doctrinal tone, scholars such as Joseph Kerman have detected a profound change of direction in the texts which Byrd set in the motets of the 1580s. In particular there is a persistent emphasis on themes such as the persecution of the chosen people (Domine praestolamur a5) the Babylonian or Egyptian captivity (Domine tu iurasti) and the long-awaited coming of deliverance (Laetentur caeli, Circumspice Jerusalem). This has led scholars from Kerman onwards to believe that Byrd was reinterpreting biblical and liturgical texts in a contemporary context and writing laments and petitions on behalf of the persecuted Catholic community, which seems to have adopted Byrd as a kind of 'house' composer. Some texts should probably be interpreted as warnings against spies (Vigilate, nescitis enim) or lying tongues (Quis est homo) or celebration of the memory of martyred priests (O quam gloriosum). Byrd's setting of the first four verses of Psalm 78 (Deus venerunt gentes) is widely believed to refer to the cruel execution of Fr Edmund Campion in 1581, an event that caused widespread revulsion on the Continent as well as in England. Finally, and perhaps most remarkably, Byrd's Quomodo cantabimus is the result of a motet exchange between Byrd and Philippe de Monte, who was director of music to the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II, in Prague. In 1583 De Monte sent Byrd his setting of verses 1–4 of Psalm 136 (Super flumina Babylonis), including the pointed question ’How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?’ Byrd replied the following year with a setting of the defiant continuation, set, like de Monte's piece, in eight parts and incorporating a three-part canon by inversion.
Cantiones sacrae (1589 and 1591)[link]
Thirty-seven of Byrd's motets were published in two sets of Cantiones sacrae, which appeared in 1589 and 1591. Together with two sets of English songs, discussed below, these collections, dedicated to powerful Elizabethan lords (Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester and John Lumley, 1st Baron Lumley), probably formed part of Byrd's campaign to re-establish himself in Court circles after the reverses of the 1580s. They may also reflect the fact that Byrd's fellow monopolist Tallis and his printer Thomas Vautrollier had died, thus creating a more propitious climate for publishing ventures. Since many of the motet texts of the 1589 and 1591 sets are pathetic in tone, it is not surprising that many of them continue and develop the 'affective-imitative' vein found in some motets from the 1570s, though in a more concise and concentrated form. Domine praestolamur (1589) is a good example of this style, laid out in imitative paragraphs based on subjects which characteristically emphasize the expressive minor second and minor sixth, with continuations which subsequently break off and are heard separately (another technique which Byrd had learnt from his study of Ferrabosco). Byrd evolved a special 'cell' technique for setting the petitionary clauses such as ‘miserere mei’ or ‘libera nos Domine’ which form the focal point for a number of the texts. Particularly striking examples of these are the final section of Tribulatio proxima est (1589) and the multi-sectional Infelix ego (1591), a large-scale motet which takes its point of departure from Tribue Domine of 1575.
There are also a number of compositions which fail to conform to this stylistic pattern. They include three motets which employ the old-fashioned cantus firmus technique as well as the most famous item in the 1589 collection, Ne irascaris Domine the second part of which is closely modelled on Philip van Wilder's popular Aspice Domine. A few motets, especially in the 1591 set, abandon traditional motet style and resort to vivid word-painting which reflects the growing popularity of the madrigal (Haec dies, 1591). A famous passage from Thomas Morley's A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practicall Musicke (1597) supports the view that the madrigal had superseded the motet in the favour of Catholic patrons, a fact which may explain why Byrd largely abandoned the composition of non-liturgical motets after 1591.
The English song-books of 1588 and 1589[link]
In 1588 and 1589 Byrd also published two collections of English songs. The first, Psalms, Sonnets and Songs of Sadness and Pietie (1588) consists mainly of adapted consort songs, which Byrd, probably guided by commercial instincts, had turned into vocal part-songs by adding words to the accompanying instrumental parts and labelling the original solo voice as ‘the first singing part’. The consort song, which was the most popular form of vernacular polyphony in England in the third quarter of the sixteenth century, was a solo song for a high voice (often sung by a boy) accompanied by a consort of four consort instruments (normally viols). As the title of Byrd's collection implies, consort songs varied widely in character. Many were settings of metrical psalms, in which the solo voice sings a melody in the manner of the numerous metrical psalm collections of the day (e.g. Sternhold and Hopkins Psalter, 1562) with each line prefigured by imitation in the accompanying instruments. Others are dramatic elegies, intended to be performed in the boy-plays which were popular in Tudor London.
Byrd's 1588 collection, which complicates the form as he inherited it from Robert Parsons, Richard Farrant and others, reflects this tradition. The ‘psalms’ section sets texts drawn from Sternhold's psalter of 1549 in the traditional manner, while the ‘sonnets and pastorals’ section employs lighter, more rapid motion with crotchet (quarter-note) pulse, and sometimes triple metre (Though Amaryllis dance in green). Poetically, the set (together with other evidence) reflects Byrd's involvement with the literary circle surrounding Sir Philip Sidney, whose influence at Court was at its height in the early 1580s. Byrd set three of the songs from Sidney's sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella, as well as poems by other members of the Sidney circle, and also included two elegies on Sidney's death in the Battle of Zutphen in 1586. But the most popular item in the set was the Lullaby (Lullay lullaby) which blends the tradition of the dramatic lament with the cradle-songs found in some early boy-plays and medieval mystery plays. It long retained its popularity. In 1602 Byrd's patron Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, discussing Court fashions in music, predicted that ‘in winter lullaby, an owld song of Mr Birde, wylbee more in request as I thinke’.
The Songs of Sundrie Natures (1589) contain sections in three, four, five and six parts, a format which follows the plan of many Tudor manuscript collections of household music and was probably intended to emulate the madrigal collection Musica transalpina, which had appeared in print the previous year. Byrd's set contains compositions in a wide variety of musical styles, reflecting the variegated character of the texts which he was setting. The three-part section includes settings of metrical versions of the seven penitential psalms, in an archaic style which reflects the influence of the psalm collections. Other items from the three-part and four-part section are in a lighter vein, employing a line-by-line imitative technique and a predominant crotchet pulse. The five-part section includes vocal part-songs which show the influence of the ‘adapted consort song’ style of the 1588 set but which seem to have been conceived as all-vocal part-songs. Byrd also bowed to tradition by setting two carols in the traditional form with alternating verses and burdens, and even included an anthem, a setting of the Easter prose Christ rising again which also circulated in church choir manuscripts with organ accompaniment.
My Ladye Nevells Booke[link]
Main article: My Ladye Nevells Booke
The 1580s were also a productive decade for Byrd as a composer of instrumental music. On 11 September 1591 John Baldwin, a tenor lay-clerk at St George's Chapel, Windsor and later a colleague of Byrd in the Chapel Royal, completed the copying of My Ladye Nevells Booke, a collection of 42 of Byrd's keyboard pieces which was probably produced under Byrd's supervision and includes corrections which are thought to be in the composer's hand. Byrd would almost certainly have published it if the technical means had been available to do so. The dedicatee long remained unidentified, but John Harley's researches into the heraldic design on the fly-leaf have shown that she was Lady Elizabeth Neville, the third wife of Sir Henry Neville (Gentleman of the Privy Chamber) of Billingbear in Berkshire, who was a Justice of the Peace and a warden of Windsor Great Park.[3] Under her third married name, Lady Periam, she also received the dedication of Thomas Morley's two-part canzonets of 1595. The contents show Byrd's mastery of a wide variety of keyboard forms, though liturgical compositions based on plainsong are not represented. The collection includes a series of ten pavans and galliards in the usual three-strain form with embellished repeats of each strain. (The only exception is the Ninth Pavan, which is a set of variations on the passamezzo antico bass)
There are indications that the sequence may be a chronological one, for the first pavan is labelled 'the first that ever hee made' in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book and the Tenth Pavan, which is separated from the others, evidently became available at a late stage before the completion date. It is dedicated to William Petre (the son of Byrd's patron John Petre, 1st Baron Petre) who was only 15 years old in 1591 and could hardly have played it if it had been composed much earlier. The collection also includes two famous pieces of programme music. The Battle, which was apparently inspired by an unidentified skirmish in Elizabeth's Irish wars, is a sequence of movements bearing titles such as 'The marche to fight', 'The battells be joyned' and 'The Galliarde for the victorie'. Although not representing Byrd at his most profound, it achieved great popularity and is of incidental interest for the information which it gives on sixteenth-century English military calls. It is followed by The Barley Break (a mock-battle follows a real one), a light-hearted piece which follows the progress of a game of barley-break, a version of the game now known as ‘piggy in the middle’ played by three couples with a ball. My Ladye Nevells Booke also contains two monumental Grounds, and sets of keyboard variations of variegated character, notably the huge set on Walsingham and the popular variations on Sellinger's Round, Carman's Whistle and Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home. The fantasias and voluntaries in Nevell also cover a wide stylistic range, some being austerely contrapuntal (A voluntarie, no. 42)) and others lighter and more Italianate in tone. Like the five-and six-part consort fantasias, they sometimes feature a gradual increase in momentum after an imitative opening paragraph.
Consort music[link]
The period up to 1591 also saw important additions to Byrd's output of consort music, some of which has probably been lost. Two magnificent large-sale compositions are the Browning, a set of 20 variations on a popular melody (also known as The leaves be green) which evidently originated as a celebration of the ripening of nuts in autumn, and an elaborate ground on the formula known as the Goodnight Ground. The smaller-scale fantasias (those a3 and a4) use a light-textured imitative style which owes something to Continental models, while the five and six-part fantasias employ large-scale cumulative construction and allusions to snatches of popular songs. A good example of the last type is the Fantasia a6 (No 2) which begins with a sober imitative paragraph before progressively more fragmented textures (working in a quotation from Greensleeves at one point). It even includes a complete three-strain galliard, followed by an expansive coda (for a performance on YouTube, see under 'External links' below).
Stondon Massey[link]
In about 1594 Byrd's career entered a new phase. He was now in his early fifties, and as a far as the Chapel Royal is concerned he seems to have gone into semi-retirement. He moved with his family from Harlington to Stondon Massey, a small village near Chipping Ongar in Essex. His ownership of Stondon Place, where he lived for the rest of his life, was bitterly contested by Joanna Shelley, with whom he engaged in a protracted and unedifying legal dispute lasting about a decade and a half. The main reason for the move was apparently the proximity of Byrd's patron Sir John Petre (the son of the former Secretary of State Sir William Petre). A wealthy local landowner, Petre was a discreet Catholic who maintained two local manor houses, Ingatestone Hall and Thorndon Hall, the first of which still survives in a much-altered state. Petre held clandestine Mass celebrations, with music provided by his servants, which were subject to the unwelcome attention of spies and paid informers working for the Crown.
Byrd's acquaintance with the Petre family extended back at least to 1581 (as his surviving autograph letter of that year shows) and he spent two weeks at the Petre household over Christmas in 1589. He was ideally equipped to provide elaborate polyphony to adorn the music making at the Catholic country houses of the time. The continued adherence of Byrd and his family to Catholicism continued to cause him difficulties, though one surviving petition suggests that he was granted permission to practise his religion under licence during the reign of Elizabeth. Nevertheless, he regularly appeared in the quarterly local assizes to pay heavy fines for recusancy. No doubt his wide circle of friends and patrons among the nobility and gentry were able to ensure that he escaped more severe penalties.
Masses[link]
It was evidently at the behest of this circle of friends that Byrd now embarked on a grandiose programme to provide a cycle of liturgical music covering all the principal feasts of the Catholic Church calendar. The first stage in this undertaking comprised the three Ordinary of the Mass cycles (in four, three and five parts), which were published by Thomas East between 1592 and 1595. The editions are undated (dates can be established only by close bibliographic analysis)[4] do not name the printer and consist of only one bifolium per partbook to aid concealment, all signs of secrecy: reminders that the possession of heterodox books was still highly dangerous. All three works contain retrospective features harking back to the earlier Tudor tradition of Mass settings which had lapsed after 1558, along with others which reflect Continental influence and the liturgical practices of the foreign-trained incoming missionary priests. Mass for Four Voices, or the Four-Part Mass, which according to Joseph Kerman, was probably the first to be composed, is partly modelled on John Taverner's Mean Mass, a highly regarded early Tudor setting which Byrd would probably have sung as a choirboy. Taverner's influence is particularly clear in the scale figures rising successively through a fifth, a sixth and a seventh in Byrd's setting of the Sanctus.
All three Mass cycles employ other early Tudor features, notably the mosaic of semichoir sections alternating with full sections in the four-part and five-part Masses, the use of a semichoir section to open the Gloria, Credo and Agnus Dei, and the head-motif which links the openings of all the movements of a cycle. However, all three cycles also include Kyries, a rare feature in Sarum Rite mass settings which usually omitted it because of the use of tropes on festal occasions in the Sarum Rite. The Kyrie of the three-part Mass is set in a simple litany-like style, but the other Kyrie settings employ dense imitative polyphony. A special feature of the four-part and five-part Masses is Byrd's treatment of the Agnus Dei, which employ the technique which Byrd had previously applied to the petitionary clauses from the motets of the 1589 and 1591 Cantiones sacrae. The final words dona nobis pacem ('grant us peace'), which are set to chains of anguished suspensions in the Four-Part Mass and expressive block homophony in the five-part setting almost certainly reflect the aspirations of the troubled Catholic community of the 1590s.
Gradualia[link]
The second stage in Byrd's programme of liturgical polyphony is formed by the Gradualia, two cycles of motets containing 109 items and published in 1605 and 1607. They are dedicated to two members of the Catholic nobility, Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton and Byrd's own patron Sir John Petre, who had been elevated to the peerage in 1603 under the title Lord Petre of Writtle. The appearance of these two monumental collections of Catholic polyphony reflects the hopes which the recusant community must have harboured for an easier life under the new king James I, who came from a Catholic background himself. Addressing Petre (who is known to have lent him money to advance the printing of the collection), Byrd describes the contents of the 1607 set as ‘blooms collected in your own garden and rightfully due to you as tithes’, thus making explicit the fact that they had formed part of Catholic religious observances in the Petre household.
The greater part of the two collections consists of settings of the Proprium Missae for the major feasts of the church calendar, thus supplementing the Mass Ordinary cycles which Byrd had published in the 1590s. Normally, Byrd includes the Introit, the Gradual, the Alleluia (or Tract in Lent if needed), the Offertory and Communion. The feasts covered include the major feasts of the Virgin Mary (including the votive masses for the Virgin for the four seasons of the church year), All Saints and Corpus Christi (1605) followed by the feasts of the Temporale (Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Whitsun and Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (with additional items for St Peter's Chains and the Votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament) in 1607. The verse of the introit is normally set as a semichoir section, returning to full choir scoring for the Gloria Patri. Similar treatment applies to the Gradual verse, which is normally attached to the opening Alleluia to form a single item. The liturgy requires repeated settings of the word ‘Alleluia’, and Byrd provides a wide variety of different settings forming brilliantly conceived miniature fantasias which are one of the most striking features of the two sets. The Alleluia verse, together with the closing Alleluia, normally form an item in themselves, while the Offertory and the Communion are set as they stand.
In the Roman liturgy there are many texts which appear repeatedly in different liturgical contexts. To avoid having to set the same text twice, Byrd often resorted to a cross-reference or ‘transfer’ system which allowed a single setting to be slotted into a different place in the liturgy. Unfortunately, this practice sometimes causes confusion, partly because normally no rubrics are printed to make the required transfer clear and partly because there are some errors which complicate matters still further. A good example of the transfer system in operation is provided by the first motet from the 1605 set (Suscepimus Deus a5) in which the text used for the Introit has to be reused in a shortened form for the Gradual. Byrd provides a cadential break at the cut-off point.
The 1605 set also contains a number of miscellaneous items which fall outside the liturgical scheme of the main body of the set. As Philip Brett has pointed out, most of the items from the four- and three-part sections were taken from the Primer (the English name for the Book of hours) thus falling within the sphere of private devotions rather than public worship. These include, inter alia, settings of the four Marian antiphons from the Roman Rite, four Marian hymns set a3, a version of the Litany, the gem-like setting of the Eucharistic hymn Ave verum Corpus, and the Turbarum voces from the St John Passion, as well as a series of miscellaneous items.
In stylistic terms the motets of the Gradualia form a sharp contrast to those of the Cantiones sacrae publications. The vast majority are shorter, with the discursive imitative paragraphs of the earlier motets giving place to double phrases in which the counterpoint, though intricate and concentrated, assumes a secondary level of importance. Long imitative paragraphs are the exception, often kept for final climactic sections in the minority of extended motets. The melodic writing often breaks into quaver (eighth-note) motion, tending to undermine the minim (half-note) pulse with surface detail. Some of the more festive items, especially in the 1607 set, feature vivid madrigalesque word-painting. The Marian hymns from the 1605 Gradualia are set in a light line-by-line imitative counterpoint with crotchet pulse which recalls the three-part English songs from Songs of sundrie natures (1589). For obvious reasons, the Gradualia never achieved the popularity of Byrd's earlier works. The 1607 set omits several texts, which were evidently too sensitive for publication in the light of the renewed anti-Catholic persecution which followed the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. A contemporary account which sheds light on the circulation of the music between Catholic country houses, refers to the arrest of a French Jesuit named De Noiriche, who was followed from an unidentified country house by spies, apprehended, searched and found to be carrying a copy of the 1605 set. Nevertheless, Byrd felt safe enough to reissue both sets with new title pages in 1610.
Anglican church music[link]
Main article: Anglican church music
Byrd's staunch adherence to Catholicism did not prevent him from contributing memorably to the repertory of Anglican church music. Byrd's small output of church anthems ranges in style from relatively sober early examples (O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth our queen (a6) and How long shall mine enemies (a5) ) to other, evidently late works such as Sing joyfully (a6) which is close in style to the English motets of Byrd's 1611 set, discussed below. Byrd also played a role in the emergence of the new verse anthem, which seems to have evolved in part from the practice of adding vocal refrains to consort songs. Byrd's four Anglican service settings range in style from the unpretentious Short Service, already discussed, to the magnificent so-called Great Service, a grandiose work which continues a tradition of opulent settings by Richard Farrant, William Mundy and Robert Parsons. Byrd's setting is on a massive scale, requiring five-part Decani and Cantoris groupings in antiphony, block homophony and five, six and eight-part counterpoint with verse (solo) sections for added variety. This service setting, which includes an organ part, must have been sung by the Chapel Royal Choir on major liturgical occasions in the early seventeenth century, though its limited circulation suggests that many other cathedral choirs must have found it beyond them. Nevertheless, the source material shows that it was sung in York Minster from c. 1618. The Great Service was in existence by 1606 (the last copying date entered in the earliest surviving manuscript source) and may date back as far as the 1590s.
Psalms, songs and sonnets (1611)[link]
Byrd's last collection of English songs was Psalms, Songs and Sonnets, published in 1611 (when Byrd was over 70) and dedicated to Francis Clifford, 4th Earl of Cumberland, who later also received the dedication of Thomas Campion's First Book of Songs in 1615. The layout of the set broadly follows the pattern of Byrd's 1589 set, being laid out in sections for three, four, five and six parts like its predecessor and embracing an even wider miscellany of styles (perhaps reflecting the influence of another Jacobean publication, Michael East's Third Set of Books (1610). Byrd's set includes two consort fantasias (a4 and a6) as well as eleven English motets, most of them setting prose texts from the Bible. These include some of his most famous compositions, notably Praise our Lord, all ye Gentiles (a6) This day Christ was born (a6) and Have mercy upon me (a6) which employs alternating phrases with verse and full scoring and also circulated as a church anthem. There are more carols set in verse and burden form as in the 1589 set as well as lighter three and four-part songs in Byrd's ‘sonnets and pastorals’ style. Some items are, however, more tinged with madrigalian influence than their counterparts in the earlier set, making clear that the short-lived madrigal vogue of the 1590s had not completely passed Byrd by.
Last works[link]
Byrd also contributed eight keyboard pieces to Parthenia (winter 1612–13), a collection of 21 keyboard pieces engraved by William Hole and containing music by Byrd, John Bull and Orlando Gibbons. It was issued in celebration of the forthcoming marriage of James I's daughter Princess Elizabeth to Frederick V, Elector Palatine, which took place on 14 February 1613. The three composers are nicely differentiated by seniority, with Byrd, Bull and Gibbons represented respectively by eight, seven and six items. Byrd's contribution includes the famous Earl of Salisbury Pavan, composed in memory of Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, who had died on 24 May 1612, and its two accompanying galliards. Byrd's last published compositions are four English anthems printed in William Leighton's ' Teares or Lamentacions of a Sorrowfull Soule (1614).
Byrd remained in Stondon Massey until his death on 4 July 1623, which was noted in the Chapel Royal Check Book in a unique entry describing him as ‘a Father of Musick’. Despite repeated citations for recusancy and swingeing fines, he died a rich man, having rooms at the time of his death at the London home of the Earl of Worcester.
Reputation and reception[link]
Byrd's output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music. Perhaps his most impressive achievement as a composer was his ability to transform so many of the main musical forms of his day and stamp them with his own identity. Having grown up in an age in which Latin polyphony was largely confined to liturgical items for the Sarum rite, he assimilated and mastered the Continental motet form of his day, employing a highly personal synthesis of English and continental models. He virtually created the Tudor consort and keyboard fantasia, having only the most primitive models to follow. He also raised the consort song, the church anthem and the Anglican service setting to new heights. Finally, despite a general aversion to the madrigal, he succeeded in cultivating secular vocal music in an impressive variety of forms in his three sets of 1588, 1589 and 1611.
Byrd enjoyed a high reputation among English musicians, especially in the earlier stages of his career. Despite the failure of the Cantiones of 1575 some of his other collections sold well, while Elizabethan scribes such as the Oxford academic Robert Dow, the Windsor lay clerk John Baldwin and a school of scribes working for the Norfolk country gentleman Sir Edward Paston copied his music extensively. Dow included Latin distichs and quotations in praise of Byrd in his manuscript collection of music (GB Och 984-8) while Baldwin included a long doggerel poem in his commonplace book (GB Lbm Roy App 24 d 2) ranking Byrd at the head of the musicians of his day:
- Yet let not straingers bragg, nor they these soe commende,
- For they may now geve place and sett themselves behynde,
- An Englishman, by name, William BIRDE for his skill
- Which I shoulde heve sett first, for soe it was my will,
- Whose greater skill and knowledge dothe excelle all at this time
- And far to strange countries abrode his skill dothe shyne...
In 1597 Byrd's pupil Thomas Morley dedicated his treatise A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practicall Musicke to Byrd in flattering terms, though he may have intended to counterbalance this in the main text by some sharply satirical references to a mysterious ‘Master Bold’. In The Compleat Gentleman (1622) Henry Peacham (1576–1643) praised Byrd in lavish terms as a composer of sacred music:
- ‘For Motets and musick of piety and devotion, as well as for the honour of our Nation, as the merit of the man, I prefer above all our Phoenix M[aster] William Byrd, whom in that kind, I know not whether any may equall, I am sure none excel, even by the judgement of France and Italy, who are very sparing in the commendation of strangers, in regard of that conceipt they hold of themselves. His Cantiones Sacrae, as also his Gradualia, are mere Angelicall and Divine; and being of himself naturally disposed to Gravity and Piety, his vein is not so much for leight Madrigals or Canzonets, yet his Virginella and some others in his first Set, cannot be mended by the best Italian of them all.’
Finally, and most intriguingly, it has been argued that a reference to ‘the bird of loudest lay’ in Shakespeare's mysterious allegorical poem The Phoenix and the Turtle may be to the composer. The poem as a whole has been interpreted as an elegy for the Catholic martyr Saint Anne Line, who was executed on 27 February 1601 for harbouring priests.
Although Byrd had a major reputation in England during his lifetime, his music was in many respects curiously uninfluential. Although his pupils included Peter Philips and Thomas Tomkins, both of whom were active as keyboard composers, the native virginal school to which he had contributed so much went into sharp decline with a number of deaths in the 1620s and never recovered. Thomas Morley, Byrd's other major composing pupil, devoted himself to the cultivation of the madrigal, a form in which Byrd himself took little interest. The native tradition of Latin music which Byrd had done so much to keep alive more or less died with him, while consort music underwent a huge change of character at the hands of a new generation of professional musicians at the Jacobean and Caroline courts. Ironically in view of Byrd's own religious beliefs, it was his Anglican church music which came closest to establishing a continuous tradition, at least in the sense that some of it continued to be performed in choral foundations after the Restoration and into the eighteenth century. Byrd's exceptionally long lifespan meant that he lived into an age in which many of the forms of vocal and instrumental music which he had made his own had lost their appeal to most musicians. Despite the efforts of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century antiquarians, the reversal of this judgement had to wait for the pioneering work of twentieth-century scholars from E. H. Fellowes onwards. In more recent times Joseph Kerman, Oliver Neighbour, Philip Brett, John Harley, Richard Turbet, Alan Brown, Kerry McCarthy, and others have made major contributions to increasing our understanding of Byrd's life and music. In 2010, The Cardinall's Musick under the direction of Andrew Carwood completed their recorded survey of Byrd's Latin church music. This series of thirteen recordings is the first time that all Byrd's Latin music is available on disc.
Veneration[link]
Byrd is honored together with John Merbecke and Thomas Tallis with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) on November 21.
Media[link]
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From the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Performed by Ulrich Metzner on a harpsichord of the type used in the early 20th century
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| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |
See also[link]
Notes[link]
- ^ See K. McCarthy, ‘Byrd, Augustine and Tribue Domine’,Early Music 32 (20040 pp. 569–576
- ^ O. Neighbour, 'Music Manuscripts of George Iliffe from Stanford Hall, Leicestershire, including a new ascription to Byrd', Music and Letters 88 (2007) pp. 420–435
- ^ J Harley, 'My Lady Nevell Revealed', Music and Letters 86 (2005) pp. 1–15
- ^ See P. Clulow, ‘Publication Dates for Byrd's Latin Masses’, Music and Letters 47 (1966) pp. 1–9
References[link]
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Byrd, William". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. - P. Brett, William Byrd and his Contemporaries (Berkeley, 2007)
- A. Brown and R. Turbet (gen. eds), Byrd Studies (Cambridge, 1992)
- E. H. Fellowes, William Byrd (rev. edn, London, 1948)
- John Harley, William Byrd: Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, (Aldershot, 1997)
- J. Kerman, The Masses and motets of William Byrd (London, 1981)
- J. Kerman, William Byrd, New Grove 2, 2001)
- O. Neighbour, The Consort and Keyboard Music of William Byrd London, 1978)
- R. Turbet, William Byrd, A Guide to Research (New York, 1987)
- Stainer & Bell. Ltd., (13.IX.2006) – Contains bio and list of works
Editions of Byrd's works[link]
- The Byrd Edition (gen. ed. P. Brett), Vols 1–17 (London, 1977–2004)
- A. Brown (ed.) William Byrd, Keyboard Music (Musica Britannica 27–28, London, 1971)
External links[link]
 |
Wikisource has the text of the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia article William Byrd. |
- Complete list of Byrd's works from stainer.co.uk (PDF)
- William Byrd at Find-A-Grave
- The keyboard music of William Byrd including recordings
- Free access to high-resolution images of manuscripts containing works by Byrd from Digital Image Archive of Medieval Music
Scores and recordings[link]
- Free scores by William Byrd at the International Music Score Library Project
- Free scores by William Byrd in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- Free scores by William Byrd in the Werner Icking Music Archive (WIMA)
- William Byrd - Fantasia #2 - Viol Consort on YouTube
- Free recordings of Madrigals, Latin Church Music
- Free recordings of Byrd's Ave verum corpus
- Free recordings of Mass for four voices and some Christmas motets
- Motet Ave Verum Corpus as interactive hypermedia at the BinAural Collaborative Hypertext
- Kunst der Fuge: William Byrd – Free MIDI files
- William Byrd and Thomas Tallis, In Chains of Gold. Dunedin Consort, DCD34008
- Ceremony & Devotion - Music for the Tudors Harry Christophers, The Sixteen (CORO)
- Complete Byrd Edition Andrew Carwood, The Cardinall's Musick (ASV / Hyperion)
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Byrd, William |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | |
| Date of death | 1623 |
| Place of death | |
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Magdalen College ( /ˈmɔːdlɪn/ MAWD-lin) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Four Magdalen alumni are currently members of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Cabinet.
Magdalen College was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester. The founder's statutes included provision for a choral foundation of men and boys (a tradition that has continued to the present day) and made reference to the pronunciation of the name of the College in English. The college received another substantial endowment from the estate of Sir John Fastolf of Caister Castle in Norfolk (1380–1459). Another unrelated college named Magdalen Hall adjacent to Magdalen College eventually became part of Hertford College.
Regarded as one of the most beautiful of the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, Magdalen is also one of the most visited. It stands next to the River Cherwell and has within its grounds a deer park and Addison's Walk. Magdalen College School also lies nearby. The large, square Magdalen Tower is a famous Oxford landmark, and it is a tradition since the days of Henry VII that the college choir sings from the top of it at 6 a.m. on May Morning. The college's current president, Professor David Clary FRS, was earlier a Fellow and Senior Tutor at Magdalene College, Cambridge.
