Queens' College, Cambridge

Queens' College, Cambridge
Public domain · source
Name	Queens' College
Caption	Queens' College from The Backs
Established	1448
Named for	Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville
Location	Silver Street
Head label	President
Head	Mohamed A. El-Erian
Undergraduate	480
Graduate	340
Website	https://www.queens.cam.ac.uk/

Queens' College, Cambridge. Founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou, the college was refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville, resulting in its distinctive plural name and apostrophe placement. It is renowned for its picturesque architecture centered around two historic courts and the iconic Mathematical Bridge. The college has a strong tradition in mathematics and the sciences, counting numerous influential Nobel Prize laureates and public figures among its members.

History

The college's foundation charter was granted by King Henry VI in 1448 under the patronage of his queen, Margaret of Anjou. Following the upheaval of the Wars of the Roses, the college was refounded in 1465 by the Yorkist queen Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV. This unique dual foundation is commemorated in its name. Key early benefactors included Andrew Dokett, the first president, and John Alcock, who later founded Jesus College, Cambridge. The college played a role in the English Reformation, with figures like Erasmus residing there, and later navigated the religious tensions of the English Civil War. Its development continued through the Victorian era with significant architectural expansions.

Buildings and grounds

The college's core is its Old Court, a rare surviving example of a complete medieval court from the 1440s. It is connected to the larger Cloister Court by the famed, though often misrepresented, wooden Mathematical Bridge. The expansive grounds include the President's Lodge, the Fisher Building, and the modern Cripps Court development. The college backs directly onto the River Cam, offering renowned views from The Backs and featuring the Queens' College Boathouse. Other notable structures are the Walnut Tree Court, the Friars' Court, and the historic Old Hall and New Hall dining facilities.

Student life

Student life revolves around the Queens' College Students' Union (QCSU) and over 70 affiliated clubs and societies. The college fields teams in bumps racing with its boat club and competes in inter-collegiate tournaments like Cuppers. Cultural activities are centered on the Fitzpatrick Hall, which hosts performances by the Queens' College Music Society and the Marlowe Society. The Queens' College Bar and the Old Kitchens are popular social hubs. Students also participate in wider University of Cambridge institutions such as the Cambridge Union and Cambridge University Press.

Notable alumni

Alumni, known as Old Quinenses, have made significant contributions across fields. In science and mathematics, fellows have included Stephen Hawking, Sir Isaac Newton, and Nobel laureates like Pyotr Kapitsa and Archer Martin. Literary figures range from the poet John Dunne to authors Fay Weldon and Ali Smith. In public service and law, alumni include Lord Chief Justice Thomas Denison and diplomat Sir Jeremy Greenstock. The college has also educated media personalities like Dan Snow and Sandi Toksvig, and business leaders such as Andy Harter.

Academics

The college maintains a strong academic reputation, particularly in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Engineering. It participates fully in the Cambridge Tripos system and its fellows include prominent academics like economist Sir Partha Dasgupta and physicist Mete Atatüre. The college library, the Old Library, houses special collections including works by Erasmus and Isaac Newton. It offers numerous scholarships and prizes, such as those named for Stephen Hawking and John Maynard Keynes, and supports research through its Queens' College Research Centre.

Traditions and legends

The college cherishes several unique traditions, including the annual Foundress' Feast commemorating Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville. A famous legend involves the Mathematical Bridge, purportedly built by Isaac Newton without nails, though it dates from 1749. The President's Christmas Dinner is a long-standing festive event. The college grace is recited in Latin before formal dinners in Old Hall. The Queens' College Silver includes historic pieces like the Foundress' Cup. Ghost stories, such as that of the Friars' Court apparition, form part of the college's folklore.

Category:Colleges of the University of Cambridge Category:1448 establishments in England Category:Educational institutions established in the 15th century