Exeter College, Oxford

Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street.

History

Still situated in its original location on Turl Street, Exeter College was founded in 1314 by Walter de Stapeldon of Devon, Bishop of Exeter and later treasurer to Edward II, who intended it as a school to educate clergy. During its first century, it was known as Stapeldon Hall and was significantly smaller, with just twelve to fourteen students. The college grew significantly from the 15th century onward, and began offering rooms to its students.

In the 16th century, donations from Sir William Petre, a former Exeter graduate, helped to expand and transform the college. As a result, Exeter College became one of the leading colleges in the University. The present Hall was built in the year 1618 with the rest of the college completed by 1710. In the 18th century the college experienced declining popularity, as did all of Oxford's other colleges. University reforms in the 1850s helped to end this period of stagnation.

The college saw much building work during the 1850s to the designs of Sir George Gilbert Scott, including the chapel (1854-60, inspired by the Sainte Chapelle in Paris), the library 1856, also in a 13th century style, the rector's lodgings from 1857 in Georgian style, and the Broad Street range from 1856. Nikolaus Pevsner and Jennifer Sherwood: The Buildings of England: Oxfordshire, 1974 p136-7

The college expanded again in the 20th century when it acquired new buildings, thereby enabling it to accommodate more undergraduate students. Until 1978 the college did not allow women students, but in 1993 Exeter College became the first of the former all-male colleges to elect a woman, Marilyn Butler, as its head (Rector). When Marilyn Butler's tenure expired in October 2004, the college elected another woman – Frances Cairncross, former Senior Editor of The Economist – as Rector.

Notable former students

Prominent academics/tutors

William Gould
George Rawlinson
Raymond Dwek
Elizabeth Jeffreys
John M. Brown — Physical chemistry fellow
Jacob Klein
John Maddicott — History fellow
Frank Close
Andrew Steane
Michael Hart

In fiction

Exeter College is the real life basis for the fictional Jordan College, Oxford in Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials.

The Exeter College quadrangle was used as the location for Inspector Morse's death.

References

External links

Colleges of the University of Oxford | 1314 establishments