Last Updated on October 20, 2023 by Iain
Have you ever heard of the Radcliffe Camera? It’s not just any building; it’s an architectural gem nestled in the heart of the University of Oxford, England. Designed by the talented James Gibbs in the captivating Baroque style, this masterpiece was constructed between 1737 and 1749. Its primary purpose? To house the prestigious Radcliffe Science Library.
Today, the Radcliffe Camera stands as an iconic Oxford landmark. It’s not just for show, though. This building is a bustling hub of knowledge, serving as a working library and forming an integral part of the central Bodleian Library complex. Dive deeper into its chambers, and you’ll find the History Faculty Library (HFL) calling it home. And guess what? It’s even connected to the Bodleian Old Library through the subterranean Gladstone Link, known to generations of students as the Glink.
While the Radcliffe Camera isn’t generally open to the public, there’s a silver lining! Eager to take a peek inside? You can immerse yourself in its grandeur by booking an hour-and-a-half guided tour organized through the Bodleian Library.
What is the history of the Radcliffe Camera?
- Design and Construction: The Radcliffe Camera, colloquially known as the “Rad Cam” or “The Camera”, was designed by James Gibbs in a Baroque style. The construction of the building began on 17 May 1737 and was completed in 1748. It was officially inaugurated on 13 April 1749.
- Purpose: The building was constructed to house the Radcliffe Science Library. It is located to the south of the Old Bodleian, north of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, and between Brasenose College to the west and All Souls College to the east.
- Funding: The construction and maintenance of the library were funded from the estate of John Radcliffe, a physician who left £40,000 upon his death in 1714. According to the terms of his will, construction only began in 1737. The exterior was completed in 1747, and the interior was finished by 1748.
- Background: John Radcliffe attended University College from the age of thirteen and became a fellow of Lincoln College at eighteen. He had a successful medical career, and his patients included notable figures like William III and Queen Anne. He amassed a significant fortune and died childless. It was known that he intended to build a library in Oxford at least two years before his death in 1714.
- Plans: Radcliffe’s will, proved on 8 December 1714, provided for the building of a new library and stated the intention for the library to be built between St Mary’s and the schools in Catte Street. The will also provided £100 a year to maintain the new library, but only after 30 years had elapsed from his death.
- Construction Details: The foundation stone was laid on 17 May 1737. The construction involved various craftsmen, including masons, carpenters, plumbers, stone carvers, wood carvers, plasterers, and locksmiths. The exterior of the building was completed by 1747, and the building was fully finished in 1748.
- History as an Independent Library: The library’s collection grew slowly. The first major purchase was books to the value of £45 from a seller in Newport in 1751. The library’s acquisitions were varied for the first sixty years, but from 1811 its intake was confined to works of a scientific nature.
- Later History: In the mid-19th century, Henry Wentworth Acland, then librarian, proposed that the Radcliffe Library building merge with the university and its collection of books be moved to the newly constructed Radcliffe Science Library. This proposal was accepted, and the building became known as the Radcliffe Camera, serving as a reading room for the Bodleian. Between 1909 and 1912, an underground book store of two floors was constructed beneath the north lawn of the library, connecting it with the Bodleian.
Who was Dr John Radcliffe?
Alright, let’s chat about Dr. John Radcliffe and his fascinating life!
So, John was likely born around the tail end of 1652 in Wakefield. His family had been there for a while, and his dad was a lawyer and also the Governor of the House of Correction. Growing up with three sisters, some folks reckon that’s why he had a bit of a superior air about him. He started his education at Wakefield Grammar School.
When he was just 13 (though his papers said he was 15), he headed off to University College, probably because of its ties to Yorkshire. He did pretty well for himself there, earning his B.A. by 1669. By 1670, he was a Fellow of Lincoln College. Fast forward to 1682, and he’s a full-fledged Doctor of Medicine. He had dreams of practicing medicine right from college, but there was this rule about taking Holy Orders that got in the way.
In 1684, he decided to move to the bustling city of London and set up shop in Covent Garden. And let me tell you, his career as a doctor just took off! He was so good that he started charging 20 guineas a day. Even royalty like James II, William III, and Princess Anne were his patients. And while he had Jacobite leanings politically, he was smart enough to accept the 1688 Revolution.
By 1690, he was an M.P. for this tiny village called Bramber in Sussex. His fees were through the roof, but he had a bit of a tiff with the king when he cheekily said he wouldn’t trade the king’s three kingdoms for his own two legs.
Fast forward a bit, and by 1704, he’s living in the posh Bloomsbury Square. Two years later, he bought a massive estate in Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire. By 1709, he was rolling in money, with a net worth of about £8,000. In 1713, he added the Wolverton estate in Buckinghamshire to his collection and even snagged a parliamentary seat there. The next year, he became Deputy Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire and moved into a grand house in Carshalton. Sadly, he only enjoyed it for six months before passing away on November 1st, 1714. He was laid to rest in St. Mary’s Church in Oxford.
Now, about his will and the Radcliffe Trust. John was loaded when he passed, with a net worth of around £140,000. He left a chunk of his wealth to his family, including a sweet £1,000 to his sister. He also donated generously to St. Bart’s, Oxford scholarships, University College, and a massive £400,000 for a library, over 10 years. Today, the Radcliffe Trust focuses on cool projects like restoring cathedrals, promoting music, and preserving libraries. Oh, and he also left £4,000 for the Radcliffe Infirmary which opened in 1770.
Speaking of libraries, have you heard of the Radcliffe Camera? It’s the first round library in Britain. The idea was inspired by Sir Christopher Wren’s design for a circular library. It was meant as a tribute to our man John Radcliffe. It took a while to get it built, but by 1749, it was open and celebrated with three days of festivities. Over the years, it became a hub for scientific and medical knowledge. And in the 1850s, it became an annex of the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
So, in a nutshell, Dr. John Radcliffe was a pretty big deal in his time, and his legacy lives on in the institutions and buildings he helped fund and inspire.
A Grand Radcliffe Camera Banquet on June 14, 1814.
The banquet was held to celebrate what was believed to be a period of peace during the Napoleonic Wars. This “illusory peace” was short-lived, but the event itself was a grand spectacle. Many prominent figures from the allied side against Napoleon attended the banquet. One of the most notable attendees was the Duke of Wellington, a leading military and political figure of the time.
The Radcliffe Camera’s banquet was not just a regular dinner; it was one of the most lavish feasts Oxford had ever seen. The seating arrangements were so intricate that they were later documented in a line engraving in 1816. This engraving provides a detailed layout of the Radcliffe Library, showcasing the seating plan for the banquet in honor of the Royal visitors.
The event stands out not just for its political and historical significance but also for the grandeur and opulence with which it was conducted. It’s a testament to the importance of the occasion and the esteem in which the attendees were held.
To find out more about the Radcliffe Camera, come on one of my Oxford University Tours!
- Oxford University Chancellor - November 11, 2024
- Oxford Interviews - August 26, 2024
- Oxford Botanic Garden - April 18, 2024