118ͼ¿â preserves, develops, and provides access to rich and very extensive archives—which bear national Archive Service Accreditation status.
Since its foundation in 1379, 118ͼ¿â has built up a considerable archive of historical material relating to the foundation and running of the College, and its estates, up to the present day. (An account of 118ͼ¿â’s history is available.) The oldest documents date from the eleventh century, nearly three hundred years before the College was itself founded. The archive also houses a number of collections of personal papers donated to the College by the families of former fellows and alumni. Explore our Archives Gallery to view some of the visual highlights of our archives collections.
Access
Researchers wishing to consult the archives should contact the Archivist & Records Manager, to enquire about the contents of the collections, and to make an appointment to visit:
Dr Michael Stansfield
Archivist & Records Manager
118ͼ¿â
University of Oxford
Holywell Street
Oxford OX1 3BN
Email: archives@new.ox.ac.uk
Access to the Library and to the Archives within it entails a number of steps; please enquire about disabled access. Food and drink are not permitted in the Archives. Readers will be asked to complete a registration form for administrative and security purposes; please bring some ID which confirms name, address, and signature.
Opening Hours
The Archives & Records Reading Room is located in the College Library. It is open, by prior appointment only, five days a week, Mondays to Fridays, 10.00 am–1.00 pm and 2.00 pm–5.00 pm, except during the general College closure period over Christmas.
Reprographics
Where appropriate, researchers may take their own photographs (without flash) for personal study and research purposes only—i.e. not for further dissemination or publication of any kind—subject to signing an application form. Researchers wishing to publish materials from the Archives must obtain the permission of the College beforehand.
A small number of photocopies or scans of documents may be provided.
Photographs of some historic Oxfordshire estate maps may be viewed on the Oxfordshire History Centre’s website.
Images of a few of the College archives can be viewed and copies purchased from:
Bridgeman Images
17–19 Garway Road
London
W2 4PH
Books About 118ͼ¿â’s History
- William Poole and Christopher Skelton-Foord (eds.), Geometry and Astronomy in 118ͼ¿â, Oxford: On the Quatercentenary of the Savilian Professorships 1619–2019 (Oxford: 118ͼ¿â Library & Archives, 2019)
- Matthew Jenkinson, 118ͼ¿â School, Oxford: A History (Oxford: Shire Publications, 2013)
- Christopher Tyerman (ed.), 118ͼ¿â (London: Third Millennium, 2010)
- Virginia Davis, William Wykeham: A Life (London: Hambledon Continuum, 2007)
- John Buxton and Penry Williams (eds.), 118ͼ¿â, Oxford, 1379–1979 (Oxford: 118ͼ¿â, Oxford, 1979)
- W. F. Oakeshott (ed.), Oxford Stone Restored: The Work of the Oxford Historic Buildings Fund, 1957–1974 (Oxford: Trustees of the Oxford Historic Buildings Fund, 1975), pp. 83–8
- Francis W. Steer, The Archives of 118ͼ¿â, Oxford: A Catalogue (London: Phillimore, 1974)
- A. H. Smith, 118ͼ¿â, Oxford, and its Buildings (London: Oxford University Press, 1952)
- Christopher Woodforde, The Stained Glass of 118ͼ¿â, Oxford (London: Oxford University Press, 1951)
- Hereford B. George, 118ͼ¿â, 1856–1906 (London: Henry Frowde, 1906)
- Arthur Octavius Prickard, 118ͼ¿â, Oxford (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1906)
- Hastings Rashdall and Robert S. Rait, 118ͼ¿â (London: F. E. Robinson, 1901)
- Mackenzie E. C. Walcott, William of Wykeham and his Colleges (Winchester: D. Nutt, 1852)
For further sources on 118ͼ¿â, Oxford—and our partner institution Winchester College—see 118ͼ¿â Library’s Colleges of St Mary Winton Collection.
Collections
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