Keble College
Founded in 1868 in memory of John Keble, one of the members of the Oxford Movement, the college was committed to a High Church tradition and ‘simple, economical living’ which led it to be known as a ‘gypsy college’ despite having mainly middle class scholars. William Butterfield (1814-1900) was the original architect who designed the first buildings between 1868-1870. The Chapel foundation stone was laid in 1873 by William Gibbs, owner of Tyntesfield (National Trust) whose fortune had been made from guano and was opened in 1876. It houses the first, and considered by many to be the best, version of Holman Hunt’s Light of the World. The library (not part of our visit) was opened in 1878 and houses the best collection of mediaeval illuminated manuscripts in Oxford outside of those at the Bodleian.
Founded in 1868 in memory of John Keble, one of the members of the Oxford Movement, the college was committed to a High Church tradition and ‘simple, economical living’ which led it to be known as a ‘gypsy college’ despite having mainly middle class scholars. William Butterfield (1814-1900) was the original architect who designed the first buildings between 1868-1870. The Chapel foundation stone was laid in 1873 by William Gibbs, owner of Tyntesfield (National Trust) whose fortune had been made from guano and was opened in 1876. It houses the first, and considered by many to be the best, version of Holman Hunt’s Light of the World. The library (not part of our visit) was opened in 1878 and houses the best collection of mediaeval illuminated manuscripts in Oxford outside of those at the Bodleian.