Exeter College, Oxford

Exeter College is one of the oldest parts of the University of Oxford in England. It was founded in 1314 by two brothers from Devon, Bishop Walter Stapledon and Sir Richard Stapledon. The college was created to educate clergy and has been located on Turl Street since 1315.

At first, Exeter College was popular with boys from Devon families. Over time, it has been home to many famous people, such as writers William Morris and J. R. R. Tolkien, actor Richard Burton, runner Roger Bannister, and author Philip Pullman. Today, it remains an important place for students to learn and grow.

History

Exeter College was founded in 1314 by Walter Stapledon, Bishop of Exeter, and his brother, Sir Richard Stapledon. It started as a school to educate clergy and moved to Turl Street in 1315. At first, it was called Stapledon Hall and had only about twelve students. Over time, the college grew and began offering rooms for students.

In the 16th century, generous donations helped the college expand. Later, in the 18th century, the college faced some tough times but recovered with university reforms in the 1850s. For many years, only men could study there, but in 1979, the college began admitting women, and today it has almost equal numbers of men and women students.

Buildings

Front Quadrangle

The Front Quadrangle stands where the medieval college once was, though only Palmer's Tower in the north-eastern corner from 1432 remains. This tower was the main entrance to the college and now holds offices and rooms for teachers. The quadrangle's main feature is the chapel, built between 1854 and 1860 by Sir George Gilbert Scott. It was inspired by the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Opposite the chapel is the hall, built in 1618, famous for its high, vaulted ceilings and many portraits. Underneath the hall is the college bar. Over the next century, the quadrangle changed and finished its look in 1710. It also includes common rooms for students and teachers, along with rooms for teachers and students to live in.

Margary Quadrangle

The Margary Quadrangle was finished in 1964 with the Thomas Wood building, built to celebrate the college's 650th year and named after Ivan Margary, who paid for its restoration. This quadrangle also has the rector's rooms, designed by Gilbert Scott and built in 1857, and three staircases put up in the 19th century.

Fellows' Garden

A path from the Front Quadrangle leads to the Fellows' Garden, where the college library stands. The library was designed by Gilbert Scott to look like buildings from the 1300s. The garden is bordered on one side by important university buildings and on the other by Brasenose Lane. At the end of the garden is The Mound, which gives great views of Radcliffe Square, including All Souls' College and the Radcliffe Camera.

Cohen Quad

Between 2007 and 2008, the college bought the main site of Ruskin College on Walton Street for £7 million. The buildings were redesigned by Alison Brooks Architects to create rooms for students to live, learn, and study. In 2017, Cohen Quad was officially opened and named after the parents of Sir Ronald Cohen. This was the college's biggest expansion since the 1300s. Cohen Quad won an RIBA South Award and was named Regional Building of the Year.

In literature and films

Exeter College inspired the fictional Jordan College in Philip Pullman's book series His Dark Materials. The 2007 film version of the first book, The Golden Compass (originally Northern Lights), used the college for filming. The last episode of the TV series Inspector Morse in 2000 was filmed in the college chapel and Front Quadrangle. In 2016, scenes for the movie Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch were filmed there. In 2019, scenes for the movie about J. R. R. Tolkien were shot in the Fellows' Garden. The Apple TV series Suspicion also filmed in the college dining hall in 2021.

Student life

Exeter College is known for its friendly and close student community. First-year students stay in rooms on the college’s Turl Street location, and there are special homes for older students on Iffley Road.

The college values its traditions, especially during special events like the yearly Burns Night dinner. This celebrates the Scottish poet Robert Burns with a special meal that includes haggis. Because of its connection with Williams College in the United States and its international students, the Thanksgiving dinner is also a big event.

Choir

Exeter has a mixed-voice choir with 24 singers. The choir is led entirely by the Organ Scholars and sings three times each week. It has been featured on broadcasts for BBC Radio 4’s The Daily Service. The college offers music scholarships, and past Organ Scholars have gone on to work at places like York Minster, Westminster Abbey, and King's College London, as well as schools such as Rugby, Charterhouse, Sherborne, and Latymer Upper Schools.

Sports

See also: Exeter College Boat Club

Students at Exeter College manage their own sports clubs, even though the college owns sports fields that students can use. Some of the sports with active clubs include boating, netball, football, cricket, badminton, hockey, rugby, ice hockey, pool, darts, croquet, and lacrosse.

In March 2014, Exeter’s football team won a big tournament called the Cuppers for the first time in over 40 years. In May 2019, a rugby team made up of students from Exeter College, Jesus College, and Lincoln College won Oxford’s first Women’s Rugby Union Cuppers tournament. In May 2024, Exeter’s rugby team won the Cuppers Bowl Trophy, beating a team from several other colleges with a score of 17-15.

People associated with Exeter

Former students

Main article: List of alumni of Exeter College, Oxford

Exeter College has many famous former students. Some of them are writers like J. R. R. Tolkien, Alan Bennett, Martin Amis, and Philip Pullman. There is also Roger Bannister, who was the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. Famous actors such as Richard Burton and Imogen Stubbs studied there too. Other notable people include Liaquat Ali Khan, the first prime minister of Pakistan, John Kufuor, a former president of Ghana, and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a former president of Peru.

Academics and tutors

See also: Category:Fellows of Exeter College, Oxford and List of Honorary Fellows of Exeter College, Oxford

Exeter College has had many important teachers and academic leaders. Some of these include Basil Allchin, who was an organist, and C.T. Atkinson, who taught military history. Others such as Frank Close, Cornelia Druțu, and Raymond Dwek have also been part of the college. Eric Waldram Kemp served as a tutor and chaplain before becoming a bishop. Helen Watanabe-O'Kelly was a tutor who taught German.

Rectors

Main article: List of Rectors of Exeter College, Oxford

On 1 October 2024, Andrew Roe became the new rector of Exeter College.