Radcliffe Square

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The south east corner of Radcliffe Square, looking along Catte Street towards St Mary's. Radcliffe Square towards church of St Mary the Virgin.jpg
The south east corner of Radcliffe Square, looking along Catte Street towards St Mary's.

Radcliffe Square is a square in central Oxford, England. It is surrounded by historic Oxford University and college buildings. The square is cobbled, laid to grass surrounded by railings in the centre, and is pedestrianised except for access.

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The square is named after John Radcliffe, a student of the university who became doctor to the King, made a large fortune, and left a significant legacy to the University and his college (University College), which is nearby in the High Street to the south.

The centrepiece of the square is the circular and imposing Radcliffe Camera, a library (originally for science) paid for by John Radcliffe's legacy, built 1737–48. [1] This is part of the Bodleian Library, the main building of which is situated immediately to the north of the square. The two are connected by a tunnel and there are many books stored under the square (with space for around 600,000 volumes). These books may be requested by readers. There used to be a small underground railway to transport books between the Radcliffe Camera and the main Bodleian site. To the west is Brasenose College, one of Oxford's older colleges. To the east is All Souls College, which only has fellows and no students, and is thus largely dedicated to research. A good view can be had through the gate leading to the square, since although these are normally locked, they consist of metal railings. The eastern side of the square forms part of Catte Street.

At the southern side of the square is the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, with its tall spire. This is the official church of Oxford University and is where the Oxford Martyrs were tried for heresy. A good view of Radcliffe Square and the rest of central Oxford is available from the tower, which is open to the public for a charge.

The square is widely regarded as the most beautiful in Oxford, and is very popular with tourists. There are no modern buildings to be seen, so it is also used as a setting for period films (e.g., Young Sherlock Holmes , in which Brasenose featured as Sherlock Holmes' college).

Palestinian solidarity encampment erected in Radcliffe Square, 2024 2024 University of Oxford pro-Palestinian campus occupations - Radcliffe Camera July.jpg
Palestinian solidarity encampment erected in Radcliffe Square, 2024

The square was also part of the venue for the Brasenose Quincentenary Ball in 2009 which celebrated 500 years of the college.[ citation needed ]

In 2024 Radcliffe Square became the site of a second Palestinian solidarity encampment during the 2024 University of Oxford pro-Palestinian campus occupations. [2]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Radcliffe</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 University of Oxford pro-Palestinian campus occupations</span>

The pro-Palestinian campus occupations at the University of Oxford are ongoing occupation protests in Oxford, England, organised by Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P). The occupations started on 6 May 2024 on the Museum of Natural History's lawn, in front of the Pitt Rivers Museum. Escalating the protests, a second encampment was established on 19 May outside the Radcliffe Camera. Protests have taken elsewhere in the city, including on Wellington Square, where 17 students were arrested after occupying the Vice-Chancellor's office on 23 May. Protesters demands include disclosure of investments and divestment from Israeli companies, among others. The university refused to negotiate with protesters until responding to an email to arrange discussion on 5 June. The protests have been supported by over 500 members of staff, and criticised by the university as intimidating.

References

  1. Geoffrey Tyack, Oxford: An architectural guide . Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN   978-0-19-817423-3. Page 166.
  2. "Oxford students rallied at second encampment outside Radcliffe Camera". The Oxford Student . 19 May 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.

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