Magdalen College, Oxford

Magdalen College, Oxford
Name	Magdalen College
Caption	View from the River Cherwell
Established	1458
Founder	William of Waynflete
Head label	President
Head	Dinah Rose KC
Location	Oxford, England
Coordinates	51.7525, -1.2480
Website	https://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/

Magdalen College, Oxford. Founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Lord Chancellor of England, it is one of the wealthiest and most architecturally distinguished constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. The college is renowned for its iconic Perpendicular Gothic Magdalen Tower, its expansive deer park, and a long tradition of academic excellence, particularly in the arts and humanities. Its independent foundation predates the English Reformation, and it has played a significant role in British intellectual and political life for over five centuries.

History

The college was established on a site previously occupied by the Hospital of St John the Baptist, with its foundation charter granted by King Henry VI. Under its first President, John de la Bere, it quickly became a centre for the study of classical antiquity and theology. It survived the upheavals of the Dissolution of the Monasteries largely intact due to its secular, academic nature. During the English Civil War, it served as the headquarters for King Charles I, and later, in the 19th century, it was a focal point for the Oxford Movement, with figures like John Henry Newman preaching from its pulpit. The college formally admitted its first female students in 1979, following a university-wide statute change.

Buildings and grounds

The college's main quadrangle is dominated by the 15th-century Magdalen Tower, a landmark from which the Magdalen College Choir sings at dawn on May Morning. Adjacent to it are the Chapel and the Hall, the latter containing portraits by Peter Lely. The grounds encompass the Addison's Walk path along the River Cherwell and the 100-acre Magdalen College Deer Park, one of the largest private parks in Oxford. Other significant structures include the New Building, a Palladian-style block from the 1730s, and the modern Grove Buildings, which house student accommodation. The college also owns the Botanic Garden, Oxford, the oldest of its kind in Britain.

Academic profile

The college maintains a strong tutorial system across a wide range of subjects, with particular historical strengths in English literature, History, and Law. It hosts several research centers, including the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and the Las Casas Institute. Notable fellows have included the philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin, the scientist Peter Medawar, and the literary critic Sir John Bayley. The college's library holds significant collections, including manuscripts from the Bodleian Library and early printed books. It regularly ranks highly in the Norrington Table, the university's informal ranking of undergraduate examination results.

Student life

Student life is organized around the Junior Common Room (JCR) for undergraduates and the Middle Common Room (MCR) for graduates. The college fields teams in most major sports, competing in events like the annual Summer Eights rowing races on the Isis. The Magdalen College Choir is internationally renowned, recording for labels like Decca Records and touring globally. Traditional events include the Commemoration Ball and the Magdalen College May Morning celebrations. Students have access to facilities including a bar, a buttery, and a music room.

Notable alumni

Alumni, known as Old Members, include a prime minister, Lord Salisbury; a Nobel laureate in Literature, Seamus Heaney; and a founder of Methodism, John Wesley. In law and politics, notable figures are Lord Denning, King Edward VIII, and George Osborne. From the arts and media, alumni include the writer Oscar Wilde, the broadcaster James Burke, and the actor Michael Palin. Scientific alumni encompass the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and the epidemiologist Sir Roy Anderson. Other distinguished figures are the explorer Sir John Franklin and the economist Sir William Petty.

In popular culture

The college's striking architecture has made it a frequent filming location. It featured prominently as part of Hogwarts in the *Harry Potter* films, with its Cloister used for scenes. It has also appeared in the television series *Inspector Morse*, *Lewis*, and *A Discovery of Witches*. The college grounds and choir are referenced in novels by Philip Pullman and Evelyn Waugh. Its annual May Morning tradition has been documented in numerous works of non-fiction and travel writing about Oxford.

Category:University of Oxford colleges Category:Educational institutions established in the 15th century Category:1458 establishments in England