wadham

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Founded 1610 by Dorothy Wadham in memory of husband Nicholas Wadham. Sister College – Christ’s College Cambridge. Men and Women – Undergraduates 448 Postgraduates 129. Behind every good man is a good woman. Wadham College owes its existence to the tenacity and dedication of Dorothy Wadham, wife of wealthy Somerset landowner, Nicholas Wadham, who made sure her husband’s rather vague intention to establish a place of learning in Oxford was realised in 1610. In the space of four short years following her husband’s death, this seventy five year old woman was able to transform his endowment into an educational house with both royal and church approval. Not one to hang around, Dorothy appointed an architect, warden, fellows, scholars and cook in a whirlwind of Jacobean activity, despite never visiting the city. She continued her tight, but remote, control until her death in 1618. A laundry lady above suspicion The college is situated in the central cluster of colleges next to Harris Manchester and just north of New. The 129 postgraduates and 448 undergraduates enjoy the rare privilege of having beanbags in the well-stocked library. The early summer months bring productions of ‘Shakespeare in the Gardens’ and the lively open-air music festival of ‘Wadstock’ offers a more electric experience. Originally founded for men – the rules stated that even female staff were prohibited, with one exception: the laundry lady who was to be of ‘such age, condition, and reputation as to be above suspicion’. The last remnants of that tradition was finally blown away in 1974 when women were allowed to become members at all levels. Today there is an even gender divide. Accommodation is provided for at least two years of the undergraduate course with grant... ... middle of paper ... ...and are passionate about issues such as top-up fees, equality and racism. In 1968 vocal Wadham students, following a national trend of protest, sent a list of non-negotiable demands to the college hierarchy calling for change. The amused governing body pointed out that their ranks consisted of ex-commandos, several qualified marksmen, karate experts and three leading exponents of chemical warfare – any confrontation would be met with enthusiasm! This response resulted in much media coverage, defusing the protest. Feminist author and journalist Laurie Penny, who was described by The Daily Telegraph as ‘…the loudest and most controversial female voice on the radical left’, studied at Wadham. Other past inhabitants include former left wing Leader of the Labour Party, Michael Foot, controversial religious leader Rowan Williams and James Bond movie actress Rosamund Pike.

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