Oxford 1863 Dutton, Allen & Co Directory - Institutions history

Oxford 1863 directory index

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Year/Publican or other Resident/Relationship to Head and or Occupation/Age/Where Born/Source.

Oxford Institutions.

There are several other institutions in Oxford belonging to the University as a body: they consist of the Schools, Bodleian and Radcliffe Libraries, Theatre, Clarendon Building, University Press, Botanic Gardens, Observatory, the Taylor and Randolph Institution, the Ashmolean Museum, and the Oxford University Museum, &c. The public Schools are in Catherine Street, opposite to Magdalen Hall, and are entered by a handsome arch, over which is a tower displaying each of the four orders of architecture, from the Tuscan to the Composite. The tower contains four rooms ; the first and second are part of the Bodleian library and picture gallery, in the third are deposited the archives and documents of the University, the fourth is occupied by the reader in experimental philosophy. The Arundel and Sheldonian marbles are preserved on the northern side of these schools. In the school for moral philosophy are the statues, busts, &c., presented to the University in 1755, by the Countess of Pomfret. The Arundel marbles include the celebrated Parian Chronicle, an invaluable record of Grecian history, purchased in Anatolia.
The Bodleian Library derives its name from Sir Thomas Bodley, one of its greatest patrons, and was founded in 1595. The ceiling of this room is divided into compartments, ornamented with the arms of the University and those of Sir Thomas Bodley at each corner. The library contains the busts of King Charles I., and Sir Thomas Bodley, and the portraits of many learned men who have at different periods contributed to its support and enlargement. The funds are kept up by certain fees paid by each member at his matriculation, and by yearly contributions from those who have taken the degree of B.A. Underneath the library is the Auetarium, appropriated to the reception of choice manuscripts and early-printed books. The library is open from 9 to 4, from Lady-day to Michaelmas; from 10 till 4 during the remainder of the year.
Thr Radcliffe Library was founded in 1737, by Dr. Radcliffe, from a bequest of £10,000 left for its erection. It was built by the architect Gibbs, and is the most conspicuous object in the exterior view of the whole urban landscape. It also occupies a site favourable to near architectural effect, standing in the centre of a square area, the sides of which are formed respectively of St. Mary's Church, a part of All Souls' College, the Schools, and the great front of Brasenose College. Its rustic basement forms a regular polygon of 16 sides and 100 feet in diameter. The superstructure is of the Corinthian order, with a balustrade over the entablature, at the height of 80 feet, above which is a cupola 60 feet in height. Over the door of the entrance to the library from the staircase, is a portrait of Dr. Radcliffe, by Kneller, and within the library is his statue, by Eysbrach. The area contains casts of the most celebrated specimens of antique statuary, and marble busts of Greek and Roman physicians. The library principally consisted of works on medicine and natural history, but by an arrangement between the trustees and the authorities of the Oxford University Museum, the books have been removed, and now form portion of the library of that fine institution. The building is now called the "Camera Bodleienia," and forms an adjunct to the Bodleian Library. It is open from 10 in the morning until 10 in the evening, and is appropriated to books published within the last 4 years, which are most conveniently arranged.
The Sheldonian Theatre in which the principal public meetings of the University are held, was built in 1664-9, entirely at the expense of Archbishop Sheldon. It cost £15,000, and the founder added £2,000 to be invested in estates for its support and repair. Under the will of the late Dr. Wallis, warden of Wadham College, £1,000 was bequeathed for the same purpose. It was one of the first works of Sir Christopher Wren, and its ground plan is that of the theatre of Marcellus at Rome, so ingenious in its internal arrangement that in the small area of 80 feet by 90, accommodation is afforded for nearly 4,000 persons. The southern front is adorned with Corinthian columns, and with statues, in niches, of Archbishop Sheldon and the Duke of Ormond. The interior contains portraits of the founder, of James Duke of Ormond, Sir Christopher Wren, the King of Prussia, the Emperor of Russia, and of King George IV. The University presses were first set up in this theatre, in 1669. In 1713 they were removed to the Clarendon Printing house, and in 1830 were again removed to the University Printing Office. The art of printing was in full operation at Oxford aa early as the year 1478. Many of the books printed in the theatre have a representation of it, as a vignette, in the title page.
The Clarendon Building, formerly the Clarendon Printing Office, is a fine edifice, situate in an open square north of the Schools, and was erected in 1711 from the profits of the sale of Lord Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, the copyright of which was presented to the University, by the author's son. Over the entrance is a fine statue of Lord Clarendon. This building is held by the University on lease from the city, and is applied to general purposes. The University Press in Walton road, is a remarkably fine structure, of the Corinthian order, erected in 1826. It has a front of 252 feet in extent, and is entered by a handsome gateway in the centre. The wings are 288 feet in length and 33 in width. Bibles and Prayer Books are printed in the south wing, and classical and other works in the north. This institution is under the management of eleven delegates.
The Botanic Garden, High Street, is situate on the banks of the Cherwell, and was founded in 1632, on the site of an ancient burial plaeo of the Jews, who, in former times, were very numerous in this city. The land was purchased by the Right Hon. Henry D'Anvers, Earl of Danby, and gentleman-commoner of Christ Church, who first introduced the study of Botany into Oxford. The gateway waa designed by Inigo Jones; over the arch is a bust of the founder, and on the right and left are statues of Charles I. and Charles II. In 1728 Dr. W. Sherard endowed a professorship of Botany, which is in the gift of the College of Physicians: he also bequeathed to the University his library and herbarium. The building contains lecture rooms, and has a fine library of works on natural history and botany. The gardens are well arranged, and the conservatories contain an extensive collection of plants, native and exotic.
The Radcliffe Observatory in St. Giles', was founded in 1772, and erected at an expense of nearly £30,000 out of the funds bequeathed by Dr Radcliffe. The ground, comprising an area of ten acres, was given by George, Duke of Marlborough. The front of the building is 175 feet, each wing is about 60 feet, and to the top of the globe is about 106 feet. The octagon building at the top is from a design from the temple of AEolus in Athens. The institution is supplied with every requisite for the prosecution of the sublime science of Astronomy.
The Ashmolean Museum, situate near the Theatre, was erected by Sir Christopher Wren at the expense of the University. It waa built for the reception of rarities presented in 1682, by Elias Ashmole, the author of the " History of the Garter." The structure is very profusely though harmoniously embellished, and its eastern end is adorned with a fine Corinthian portico. The geological collection is said to be one of the best in the kingdom, and there is a valuable assortment of ancient manuscripts, books, coins, paintings, and other curiosities.
The Taylor Institute is a stately and magnificent building, erected in 1844, in pursuance of the will of Sir Robert Taylor. It is situate at the corner of Beaumont Street, facing St. Giles', and is of the Ionic order of architecture, and palladian stylo. At the chief entrance are four detached columns, bearing figures emblematical of the European languages which figures are in the building; and on their bases arc engraved the names of the countries they are intended to represent, Viz.:—France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. The library, Professors' apartment, five lecture rooms, and lodgings for the Librarian, comprise the eastern wing of the building. The University Galleries are situated on the north side of Beaumont Street, and adjoin the Taylor Institute, occupying the central and western portions of a magnificent building, erected from the design of C. R. Cockerell, Esq., R.A. The principal sculpture gallery is a fine room, 90 feet by 28 feet, and contains a number of very fine casts and busts, presented by Lady Chantrey; in the centre is a cast of the Florentine Boar, the gift of the Provost and Fellows of Queen's College. Leading from this is a gallery, 180 feet long and 20 feet wide, containing about 40 models of the most celebrated works by Sir Francis Chantrey; these also were presented by Lady Chantrey. At the top of the great staircase is the picture gallery, and also a gallery especially set apart for the original designs of Raffaelle and Angelo. The measurement of the former is 96 feet long, 28 wide, and 23 high. This room contains Raffaelle's Cartoons, presented to the University by John Duke of Marlborough, besides many others of a superior character. To the Raffaelle and Angelo Gallery the Earl of Eldon liberally contributed the sum of £4,105 towards the purchase of the original drawings of those great masters, and which were obtained for £7,000.
The Oxford University Museum is a magnificent structure, lately erected on a plot of ground at the northern port of the city, called The Parks. The architects were Messrs. Deane and Woodward, of Dublin. The original estimated cost of the structure was £30,000, which sum was contributed by the University, but as this amount was found inadequate to tho completion of this noble undertaking, an additional sum of £40,000, (some portion of which has been contributed by the munificence of friends of the University), has been expended in carrying out the original design of the promoters, and in adding to the architectural effect of the edifice. The internal arrangement of this splended institution exceeds, if possible, the beauty of the exterior. The object of its erection, as set forth by a delegacy of the university, is "to aid the study of Natural Science," and to afford facilities for the pursuit and development of Chemistry, Experimental Philosophy, Geometry, Geology, Medicine, Mineralogy, Physiology, Zoology, &c., for which purpose the building is well stored with models, specimens, scientific instruments, and books pertaining to these subjects. The interior is adorned with statues of the world's greatest masters in the arts and sciences; the statues of Bacon, Galileo, Leibnitz, and Oersted, were presented by the Queen, of Euclid by the Freemasons, who are a very large and influential body in Oxford, and additions to the already great number, presented by other donors, are from time to time being made. By an agreement between the Radcliffe trustees, and the authorities of the University, the Radcliffe Library is removed to the upper storey of the west front of the museum, and is deposited in two rooms, each of which is 80 feet long, 21 wide, and 20 up to wall plate. These rooms are separated by the central or tower room, 20 feet square, which is the entrance room for visitors, and also the room in which the general business of the library is transacted. The Librarian is in attendance daily from 10 to 4, and twice a week during term time at 7 p.m. Persons not members of the university ire admitted between the hours of 2 and 4 in the afternoon.


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