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| College name
| Mansfield College
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| Motto | Deus locutus est nobis in filio ("God hath spoken unto us by [his] son", Hebrews 1:1–2)
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| Named after
| George and Elizabeth Mansfield
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| Established
| 1886
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| Sister college | Homerton College, Cambridge
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| Principal
| Dr Diana Walford
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| JCR president | James Naish
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| Undergraduates | 212
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| MCR president | Jedidiah Francis
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| Graduates | 73
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| Oxford (central)
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Location of Mansfield College within central Oxford{{Coord|51.757428|-1.252876|display=title|region:GB_type:landmark}}
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Mansfield College is one of the 39 constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Notably, it is both the youngest undergraduate college (having been a Permanent Private Hall until 1995) and the joint smallest undergraduate college within Oxford University, having the same number of students as Corpus Christi. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £12 million. [1]
History
Originally only members of the established Church of England were permitted to attend Oxford or Cambridge University as students. Mansfield was the result of a successful attempt to circumvent this ban on non-Anglican denominations attending university. The college was founded (under the name of Spring Hill College) in Birmingham, as a college for Nonconformist students, who could not at that time be admitted to Oxford or Cambridge. The college moved to Oxford following the relaxation of the religious restrictions, and was founded in its present form in 1886. The magnificent Victorian buildings were designed by Basil Champneys.
Until 1995 Mansfield was a Permanent Private Hall rather than a college, the Queen's Charter being awarded in that year. With an undergraduate population of little more than 200 at any time, Mansfield remains among the smallest undergraduate college in Oxford University. In spite of the relatively small student population (just over 300, typically, with graduates and visiting students included), Mansfield is known as a college which ‘punches above its weight’, with an increasing presence across the University. One example is the Mansfield College Boat Club which is very active and popular amongst the students, achieving results at the level of some of the biggest colleges. Mansfield's reputation for food around the university is excellent, especially its bi-termly black tie formals.
The college's pre-supper grace was translated into Latin from the Welsh version originally prepared for the University College of North Wales[2].
Geographical location
View of the Principal's Lodgings from the American Institute
The spacious grounds of Mansfield College occupy one of the most attractive sites in Oxford near to the University parks and River Cherwell. The 1886 buildings, which houses all the College's public rooms, are regarded as amongst the finest work of the important Victorian architect, Basil Champneys.
College grace
'(ante cibum) Omnipotens Deus, clementissime Pater, omnis boni fons, in donis tuis gaudentes nomen tuum magnificamus, per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum.
"(before the meal) Almighty God, Father of mercies and fount of every good, in the enjoyment of thy gifts we bless thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Fellows
Dr Albert Schweitzer, theologian and famous Bach expert was a special lecturer at Mansfield and often performed on the chapel organ. Among the notable academic staff is the Reverend Dr John Muddiman, G. B. Caird Fellow in New Testament Theology, and Michael Freeden, director of the Centre for Political Ideologies and founding editor of the Journal of Political Ideologies. Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the British Astrophysicist most famous for first discovering radio pulsars, is currently a visiting professor. As of the 21st of June 2007, the College has been able to number amongst its honorary fellows Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the USA. Will Hutton, prominent journalist, economist and head of the Work Foundation, is also a honorary fellow of Mansfield.
Domestic Staff
The college porters are also notable characters. Hugh Flint who has now retired, was the drummer for John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and appeared on their first two albums, the second of which featured Eric Clapton. He later formed the band McGuinness Flint.
Notable former students
- See also: Category:Alumni of Mansfield College, Oxford
Alumni of Mansfield College include:
References
- ^ Oxford College Endowment Incomes, 1973-2006 (updated July 2007)
- ^ Reginald Adams, The College Graces of Oxford and Cambridge, ISBN 1-870882-06-7
- ^ Adam von Trott Memorial Lecture at the Ambassador's Residence, 4 May 2007
External links
