Floreat Magdalena ISSUE 18 – 2020

Professor Sir David Clary looks back on 15 years as President of Magdalen College

1 PB FLOREAT MAGDALENA When the fritillaries went over in April, they were replaced with buttercups and clouds of frothy white cow parsley. 2 3 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Contents

Regulars Features

The big picture ...... 4 16 From the President ...... 6 Portrait of a President Your view ...... 7 Professor Sir David Clary FRS shares Fellows’ news ...... 8 his memories and photographs from Online ...... 11 15 years as President of Magdalen College news ...... 12 College Events ...... 14 Donor impact ...... 15 22 The hypervelocity Honourable mentions .. 42 starman Outreach ...... 44 Starter for ten ...... 46 Floreat Magdalena finds out how Inside job ...... 48 this stellar astrophysicist went Crossword ...... 50 stratospheric, one awkward question at a time 26 The linguistic life of an Oxford student Magdalen Fellow in English Professor 9 Simon Horobin sheds light on the often confusing world of Oxford lingo 30 The Hogarth Papers Hogarth Project Archivist, Ben Taylor, shares some of the highlights from the archive’s latest acquisition from Magdalen’s eminent archaeologist 49 34 Women and Power? A Thank you to the alumni, Magdalen Story students, Fellows, and staff A new exhibition exploring the who contributed to this role women have played in shaping issue of Floreat Magdalena. Magdalen throughout the years

The opinions expressed in Floreat Magdalena are those 38 of the contributors and do Pathway to Success not necessarily reflect those of A ground-breaking new initiative Magdalen College. to help equip future Black, Asian

Magdalen College. Registered and Minority Ethnic leaders with charity number 1142149 the tools and knowledge required to stand for political office

2 3 FLOREAT MAGDALENA 4 The big picture

Benjamin Fitkov-Norris (2017) is a third-year Biological Sciences student and winner of the Magdalen College Photography Competition. You can see more of his wonderful work on his Instagram account: magdalen.wildelife

5 FLOREAT MAGDALENA From the President

his has been one of the most Dinah Rose elected next President extraordinary terms the College Magdalen College has appointed Thas ever had. Most students, alumna Dinah Rose QC (1984) as tutors and staff are working remotely. its next President. She will take up Lectures, tutorials, classes, collections office in September 2020 as successor and examinations are continuing to Professor Sir David Clary FRS, in an online format. The indication who will have completed 15 years of from our undergraduates is that the distinguished service as President of adaptations have gone quite well and the College. recorded lectures, in particular, have Dinah Rose will be the 43rd been welcomed. However, it has been President of the College since its challenging for some of our graduate foundation in 1458, and the first students who have not been able to use woman to hold the post. the laboratories, libraries and archives Dinah Rose is a barrister and which are central to their research work member of Blackstone Chambers. and projects. The College is determined She has appeared in many of the to make sure no student is seriously This has been one of the leading cases in the fields of public disadvantaged financially by the “ law, human rights, employment law, pandemic. most extraordinary terms and competition law over the past the College has ever had.” thirty years. As an undergraduate, she I know our students are missing studied Modern History at Magdalen the social interactions that are so College and was awarded First Class important to College life. Dining, Honours in 1987. She was appointed sports, music, plays and other activities Queen’s Counsel in 2006, and was have always been prominent at named Barrister of the Year in The I will be handing over the Presidency Magdalen as are the special events like Lawyer Awards 2009. on September 1 to Dinah Rose QC. May Morning, the Commemoration Dinah said, “It is a great pleasure She has told me she is much looking Ball, the Annual Play and Eights Week. and privilege to be returning to forward to meeting our students Our finalists have been hit particularly Magdalen, where I spent three happy and alumni. I know you will all give hard as they will not have the unique and unforgettable years as a student. Dinah the tremendous support I have opportunity to celebrate together the I am determined to do all in my received during my time as President. completion of their degrees in the power to ensure that Magdalen is summer glory of the College. as accessible and inclusive as it is Before the current coronavirus crisis, exceptional.” the College had experienced many This is my last term as President of this major challenges in its great 562 year wonderful College. Many events had history including several previous been organised throughout the world epidemics, a civil war, two world wars for me to meet our alumni for the and the expulsion of the President last time as President. Unfortunately, and Fellows by James II. However, it has been necessary to cancel these Magdalen is a proud and resilient meetings but I wanted to take this college which always emerges wiser opportunity to thank you all for your and stronger after a crisis. I am sure friendship and tremendous support this will be the case in 2020. you have given during my time as President. This Floreat gives an Floreat Magdalena! interview that enables me to provide some very happy reflections over the Professor Sir David Clary FRS last 15 years. President of Magdalen College

6 7 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Your view Not only did I meet my now husband at Magdalen, “we still have the most amazing group of Magdalen friends.”

Online romance On Valentine’s Day we asked on Facebook…did you meet at Magdalen?

Not ‘at’ but ‘because of’...Donna Greschner (1981) and I met a few years after we’d graduated (she several years after me), discovering we’d lived in the same Daubeny flat. Today we’re celebrating our 25th Anniversary! Alan McHughen (1976)

I met Christoph Erben when he moved across from St Hugh’s in 2003 to do his Thank you! DPhil. I was staying on to do my MSt We recently sent an anonymous Of those who have made a gift to and we were put in Rose Lane together. survey to members of the Magdalen Magdalen, people are most interested We actually got together working on community to collect your thoughts in: the MCR bar for Valentines cocktails, on the College and the work of the and now we are married and have two Development Office. Thank you to 1 Student Support 448 daughters. everyone who completed it. Here’s 2 College’s Greatest Need 325 Emily Stamoulis (2000) what you said: 3 Access & Outreach 288

Number who responded: 4 Buildings & Grounds 257 1257 Your comments “I really enjoyed a dinner in Hall with Percentage who responded: the student who is benefiting from my regular gift, connecting us to 17% current students in our subject is very Positive or very positive current enjoyable.” association with Magdalen: “I enjoy the donor calendar, it 88% connects me back to College all year round. I always have it in my office.” Positive or very positive association I met my husband, Dougal (1988) when they were at Magdalen: “I am pleased to be able to give back. during our first year at Magdalen back It was a privilege and honour to study in 1988. Still going strong 30+ years at Magdalen.” 75% later. Kim Crisp (1988) Percentage who had attended a “I feel very connected to the College, Magdalen event: which gives me great satisfaction.” Not only did I meet my now husband 72% “I’m currently a mentor on your Paul King (2006) at Magdalen over Percentage who had made a gift to BAME access to Parliament initiative 10 years ago, we still have the most Magdalen in the past year: [see page 38] and it’s one of the most amazing group of [Magdalen] friends, exciting mentoring opportunities I’ve who we see regularly and all of whom 85% been involved in (and I do a lot of I feel know me almost as well as I mentoring!). It feels truly meaningful know myself. Of that group, there are Percentage who give to charity: in every sense and I’m proud to two other married couples who met at 85% be associated with it - and that it’s Magdalen too! Magdalen leading the way on this.” Philippa King (2006)

6 7 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Fellows’ news

Clare Harris and Laurence museology. In her analyses of art, Brockliss elected Fellows of the photography, museums, collections British Academy histories, colonial and post-colonial We are delighted to announce constructions of knowledge, and the that Professor Clare Harris, Tutorial politics of representation, she has Fellow in Anthropology, and Professor pioneered new approaches to the study Laurence Brockliss, Emeritus Fellow of Tibet, past and present. Clare is in Modern History, have been elected also internationally recognised for her Fellows of the British Academy (FBA). collaborations with Tibetan artists, The British Academy is a fellowship innovative exhibitions, digital projects, of around leading national and and award-winning publications. international academics elected for Laurence Brockliss was our Tutorial Constantin Coussios elected their distinction in the humanities and Fellow in Modern History from 1984 Fellow of the Royal Academy social sciences. until 2017. He is one of the leading of Engineering Clare Harris is Professor of cultural historians of early modern Magdalen Fellow in Engineering Visual Anthropology at the School Europe. He engages with a number Science Professor Constantin Coussios of Anthropology and Museum of different disciplines: intellectual has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Ethnography, and Curator for history, history of medicine, history of Academy of Engineering (RAEng) in Asian Collections at the Pitt Rivers science, history of education, history recognition of his outstanding and Museum. Her work engages with of childhood, and social history more continuing contributions to biomedical anthropology, art history, and critical generally. engineering. As well as being Professorial Fellow of Engineering Science, Constantin holds the first Statutory Chair in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oxford, is the Director of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, and a co-founder of spin-outs OrganOx, OxSonics, and OrthoSon. Since 1997 he has led all engineering aspects of the development of the world’s first normothermic perfusion device for improved liver preservation: the ‘metra’. The ‘metra’ enables the preservation of organs in a functioning state for up to 24 hours, twice as long as conventional Jeremias Adams-Prassl honoured Perils of Work in the Gig Economy. cold storage, and is currently used in all in Recognition of Distinction The prize was conferred by the seven liver transplant centres in the UK, Congratulations to Magdalen Fellow Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry as well as in 10 other countries across Jeremias Adams-Prassl who has been Medvedev, in the State Hermitage four continents. awarded the title of Professor of Law Museum in St Petersburg. “The boundaries of what engineering in this year’s University of Oxford The SPBILF Private Law Prize was is and what it can be are being redrawn,” Recognition of Distinction awards. established in 2017 to reward global said Constantin. “It is therefore Professor Adams-Prassl was also excellence in legal thought, and is wonderful to receive such recognition awarded the prestigious St Petersburg judged by a committee of world- from the RAEng for science carried out International Legal Forum Prize class academics who have informed at the interface between technology, (SPBILF) earlier this year for his book generations of lawyers. biology and medicine.” Humans as a Service: The Promise and

8 9 FLOREAT MAGDALENA I’m touched by the good wishes I received “ from the College and so many others.” Sir Peter Ratcliffe wins Nobel Prize Magdalen Fellow in Medicine Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffe became Magdalen’s tenth Nobel Prize winner when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine last year. Sir Peter jointly won the award along with William Kaelin Jr of Harvard University, and Gregg Semenza of Johns Hopkins University for discovering how cells use oxygen to burn fuel and help the body maintain and grow new tissues. Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffe is currently Director of the Target Discovery Institute at Oxford University and Director of Clinical Research at the Francis Crick Institute in London. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences and is an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In the 2014 New Year’s Honours List, he The ten Magdalen Nobel Laureates are: was knighted for services to clinical medicine. “I’m touched by the good wishes I Sir Charles Sherrington received from the College and so many 1932 – Medicine others,” said Sir Peter. “The work of Dr Erwin Schrödinger course belongs to the laboratory and 1933 – Physics there were many, many people who contributed. But at a personal level the Professor Howard (later Lord) Florey experience has been remarkable. As 1945 – Medicine of October 7th 2019 even my children Sir Robert Robinson think I have something to say. Quite 1947 – Chemistry surreal.” Professor Sir David Clary, President Sir Peter Medawar of Magdalen, said, “The College is 1960 – Medicine truly proud and delighted with the Sir John Eccles announcement of the Nobel Prize to 1963 – Medicine Sir Peter Ratcliffe, Fellow by Special Election at Magdalen. Peter established Professor Seamus Heaney the fundamental molecular mechanism 1995 – Literature for the sensing of oxygen by cells and Professor A. Michael Spence this has subsequently been found to be 2001 – Economics a central feature for the understanding of many diseases. This is the tenth Nobel Professor Sir Anthony Leggett Prize for a Magdalen member and the 2003 – Physics fifth in medicine. The College flag was Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffe flown in Peter’s honour.” 2019 – Medicine

8 9 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Professor Marilyn Booth wins Man Booker International Prize Magdalen Fellow and Professor in Oriental Studies Marilyn Booth became Magdalen’s It’s been a story of fourth Man Booker winner when she “ collaboration and was jointly awarded the Man Booker International Prize for her translation of determination. Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharti. Best of all, it’s a The book centres on three sisters, Mayya, Asma, and Khawla, who live in al-Awafi, great read.” a village in Oman. Mayya marries after a heartbreak, Asma marries from a sense of duty, and Khawla rejects all offers while waiting for her beloved, who has emigrated to Canada. It is the story of the history and people of modern Oman told through one family’s losses and loves. “It’s been amazing to co-win the prize with Jokha, because it has meant worldwide interest in the novel,” Professor Booth explained. “Not only has it been a national bestseller, but because of the prize, it is now being translated into at least 20 languages. Oman has not been a much-noticed centre of 20th-century literary production, although there are fine novelists there and throughout the Gulf region who are attracting increasing notice. Like every Arabic-speaking society, it has a very long history - long before it was formally a nation - as a site of poetry composition. “This has all been serendipity: I worked with Jokha in my previous position as a professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Edinburgh; she gave me a copy of the novel; I loved it, and translated it; Marilyn is the fourth member we got support from the wonderful Anglo- of the Magdalen community to Omani Society; and eventually, we found win a Man Booker Prize: a publisher in Scotland, with the help of a wonderful literary agent. It’s been a story of Alan Hollinghurst (1972) collaboration and determination. Best of all, 2004 with The Line of Beauty it’s a great read. “Amongst my university duties and my Aravind Adiga (1997) research work, I’m currently translating 2008 with White Tiger Jokha’s more recent novel, Narinjah: Bitter Orange, as well as Huda Barakat’s Night Post, Julian Barnes (1964) winner of the ‘Arabic Booker’ last year, the 2011 with The Sense of an Ending International Prize for Arabic Fiction.”

10 Online

The College has exhibitions open to alumni in both the Old Library and Longwall Library throughout the year, curated by academic staff and Fellows and other members of the College. Some of these exhibitions are now available online for all to enjoy.

The Flora & Fauna of Magdalen College Fragments of Note The Wolsey Manuscripts More than most Oxford colleges, Most of the music that survives from Only five years before England broke Magdalen is home to a hugely diverse medieval England is preserved in with the Roman Catholic Church, two variety of plants and animals – from the fragments of manuscripts, scraps intensely beautiful liturgical manuscripts famous deer herd to the occasionally which have been cut from the original were made for the country’s leading glimpsed wild birds and mammals books and used for other purposes. cleric. For Thomas Wolsey, cardinal and inhabiting the College’s extensive Magdalen College is one of the few first minister of Henry VIII, only the parkland. These extensive grounds, a small research libraries in the country best would do: the manuscripts had to lucky consequence of having been the to preserve an exceptional collection of be handwritten, not printed, and were first college founded outside Oxford’s such fragments, dating from the middle to be produced by the leading artisans old city walls, have allowed the College of the twelfth to the late fifteenth of his day. Over time, these books to play host to a long history of animal centuries, a collection which testifies moved in and out of royal and cathedral life, and maintained and wild parkland, to the developments in musical style, libraries and eventually found their way from prize-winning pigs to enormous as well as in the production of musical back to Oxford, in Magdalen College trees. Wander the grounds and learn books. Engage with these fragments and Christ Church. Explore the two some of our natural history in this and listen to them come to life again in lectionaries side-by-side and read expert online exhibition: this online exhibition. commentary in this online exhibition. florafauna.magd.ox.ac.uk fragmentsofnote.magd.ox.ac.uk wolseymanuscripts.ac.uk #1 #1 #2

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11 FLOREAT MAGDALENA College news A small thing like that could have been chucked “ away and lost forever; a needle in a haystack.” Maintaining mental wellbeing at Magdalen Magdalen prides itself on being a supportive community for both its students and staff. The welfare and wellbeing of those who study and work here is a priority and we make every effort to ensure that everyone feels well supported. That’s why a group of Magdalen staff attended a two-day training course called Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). “MHFA is a nationally recognised scheme designed to make sure we take first aid for mental ill-health as seriously as we do physical ill-health,” said Tutor for Equality and Diversity Professor Siân Pooley, who organised the training. MHFA training is designed to Oscar Wilde’s missing ring away and lost forever; a needle in a give people practical skills in how to returned to Magdalen haystack. recognise the symptoms of mental Almost two decades after it was stolen “Oscar Wilde was one of our most health problems, how to provide initial from College, a ring gifted by Oscar gifted alumni,” said Sir David. “We help, and how to guide a person towards Wilde to his close friend William Ward are very grateful to everyone who appropriate professional help. has made its way back to Magdalen. helped bring his ring back to Magdalen Attending the course were two The 18-carat gold band, which is College.” Porters, two Sub-Deans, four Fellows, shaped like a belt and buckle, was The friendship ring was given as a the HR manager, and the Student taken from College the day after the joint gift to William Ward in 1876 by Support Administrator. May Morning celebrations in 2002. Oscar and another friend, Reginald “Our hope is that this knowledge will Following initial investigations, the Harding. On the outside, it bears an proliferate and become embedded in College feared that the ring had been inscription in Greek which reads ‘Gift the culture of our College,” said Tutor melted down and would never been of love, to one who wishes love’, and on for Welfare, Revd Professor Robert seen again. the inside, the initials of Oscar, Reginald Gilbert. “We thought it had disappeared,” and William, ‘OFOFWW + RRH to “By increasing the number of people said Magdalen President, Professor Sir WWW’. (Wilde’s full name is Oscar with a better understanding of mental David Clary. “So I was delighted when Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde.) health we make it more likely that we heard it had been found.” Oscar mentions the ring to William someone will be there when a member The ring was found by Arthur Brand, in a letter held in the College archive. He of our community needs them most.” a Dutch expert in art recovery, with writes, “I am so glad that your people the help of commodity broker George liked the ring, and if the Greek lines Crump. you quoted to me would fit it would be “We heard very strong rumours that charming. Perhaps, however, our initials [the ring] was linked to this theft: [the inside and (Greek inscription) outside Hatton Garden jewellery raid],” said would be all that would fit conveniently.” George. “I didn’t think it would come The ring was donated to College back – it was impossible. And basically, originally at the end of the 19th Century lo and behold, A went to B, to C, to D, along with letters written by William down the line. Ward. It was ceremoniously returned “I was absolutely astonished. A small to Magdalen College in December by thing like that could have been chucked George Crump.

12 13 FLOREAT MAGDALENA The virtual May Morning video has been watched almost 200,000 times Search Virtual May Morning 2020 on YouTube

Remains reinterred at Magdalen “It ran 300 feet along the road – Virtual May Morning Last summer a ceremony took place at roughly from Magdalen Bridge to The May Morning celebrations may Magdalen to reinter human remains where the Porters’ Lodge now stands.” well have been cancelled, but the Choir which had been discovered during However, the cemetery only of Magdalen College was determined renovation work in the Cloister remained at the site for just over 40 not to let this 500-year-old Oxford buildings. years. In 1231 Henry III gave the land tradition go unmarked. The remains were dated to the turn to the Hospital of St John and the The Choir welcomed the coming of of the twelfth century when the area Jewish cemetery was moved to an area spring this year, but the Choristers and was a Jewish burial ground – one of across the road where the Lasker Rose Academical Clerks weren’t singing from the very first in England. Garden stands today. the top of the Great Tower. Instead, they The ceremony was led by Rabbi Rabbi Norman Solomon began were singing from their homes across the Norman Solomon, and was well the ceremony by saying that for country via video link. attended by representatives of the him the interment was more than a Mark Williams, the Informator Oxford Jewish Heritage Committee ‘simple act of piety’. “It is a reminder Choristarum at Magdalen worked with and the Oxford Jewish Congregation, of a connection through history,” he the 28 members of the Choir to complete as well as students, Fellows, and staff explained. new virtual renditions of the Hymnus from Magdalen College and the wider Following the ceremony, Dr Michael Eucharisticus and a traditional madrigal University of Oxford. Ward from the Oxford Jewish Heritage for May Morning. Before the ceremony Pam Manix Committee laid the remains in the new “I am glad that the members of from the Oxford Jewish Heritage grave in the Cloister and attendees the Choir thew themselves into it. Committee gave a brief history of the took turns to scatter earth into the We’re pleased that we were still able cemetery which was established on the hole. to celebrate May Morning with the site in 1190. After Kaddish, people gathered at Magdalen community – and with “Up until 1177 there was only one an engraved stone that the College thousands of others – this year.” Jewish burial ground in England – had set into the paving of St John’s in London,” she explained. “Before Quad to mark the discovery. Rabbi then people had a long journey of Solomon then took the opportunity several days. But in 1190 the Jewish to thank the President, Professor Sir community approached the king to David Clary, for the cooperation of purchase a small part of the manor for the College throughout the process of a cemetery. the discovery and reinterment of the ‘unknown souls’. [The cemetery] ran 300 feet along the road Excellent examination results – from Magdalen Bridge to the Porters’ Lodge.” It was another excellent year for “ Magdalen undergraduates in their final examinations. 43 out of 96 students were awarded First Class Honours. Magdalen was placed 3rd in the Norrington Table, just behind Merton and New College. Professor Sir David Clary, President of Magdalen, said, “Many congratulations to our finalists for their excellent examination results. This was an outstanding year. I’m sure our Tutors will be delighted and they deserve to be congratulated also.”

12 13 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Events

40 years of co-ed celebrations Girls’ School Association and Head of The sun shone as members of the Bolton Girls’ School; Helen Mountfield Magdalen community returned to QC (1986) President of Mansfield College last September to celebrate the College and award-winning barrister; 40th anniversary of co-education at Fiona Thompson (1993) a consultant Magdalen. with a career in tech start-ups; and The day began in a relaxed manner Rachel Amosu (2003) a successful with an Iyengar yoga session run by singer from London, via Brazil and yoga teacher Kirsten Agar Ward (1984) Portugal, who sings under the name in the Daubeny Laboratory, followed Jesuton. by lunch on the New Building lawns in the glorious sunshine. Families were encouraged to attend the celebrations and there was plenty The sun shone [for] the for children to enjoy, including a “ story workshop run by author Julia 40th anniversary of co- Golding (1995), a family-friendly talk education at Magdalen.” on magnetism by Magdalen Fellow in Physics Dr Alexy Karenowska, and another talk on resilience by Magdalen After the panel discussions Rachel Fellow in Experimental Psychology Amosu sang a number of songs from Professor Lucy Bowes. her latest album HOME, a reference to After lunch attendees headed to an essay question she had been set by the auditorium for a panel discussion her Tutor at Magdalen and Fellow in about the experience of being a Anthropology, Professor Clare Harris, woman at Magdalen. The discussion who was in the audience to support was chaired by recent student Monica her former student. Lindsay-Perez (2018). Both panels were introduced The panel members were: Lynn by History Fellow Professor Siân Nickerson (Clarke) (1979), who was Pooley, and attended by Magdalen in the first intake of female students President Professor Sir David Clary when she did her DPhil in Chemistry and Lady Clary. Sir David thanked the at College; Lizzie Fricker, our first organisers, and the audience and panel female Tutorial Fellow; Rosemary members after the discussions, and Wilson (2012), the first female Captain recognised the additional pressures of Boats; Anna Lapwood (2013), many women had experienced at our first female Organ Scholar; and Magdalen. He also renewed his Jodi Gardner (2011) who had two commitment to improving things for children whilst studying for a DPhil at future generations of female students, Magdalen. Fellows and staff. After a short break there was a Attendees were then treated to second panel discussion on gender a glass of English sparkling wine in issues faced by alumnae after the President’s Garden produced by Magdalen. This panel was chaired by Belinda Brown (Folliott-Vaughan) Dr Kira Allman (2010). (1979), followed by dinner in Hall The panel members were: Barbara where Emeritus Fellow Librarian Domayne-Hayman (1980), an Christine Ferdinand gave a short entrepreneur in the biotech sector; history of the process of Magdalen Sue Hincks (1986) President of the going co-ed.

14 Donor impact

In the last financial year

Without the Fellowship by Examination I probably would“ have had to move abroad.” £2.3Amount raised thanks to our incredible donorsm (includes gift aid) Dr Douglas Boubert (Page 22)

16% 24 1482 Percentage of alumni Our youngest donor Number of alumni who made a gift who made a gift.

I am so grateful for the help I receive. I just hope that I 100 get enough success when I graduate that I can give back Our oldest donor “to College and make a difference to other students.” Mharab Choudhury (2017)

20% 33 31% The percentage of donors The number of countries we The percentage of gifts made under 40 received gifts from for student support

15 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Portrait of a President

The official portrait of Professor Sir David Clary will be unveiled 16 later this year. Portrait of a President

On the eve of his retirement at the end of August, Professor Sir David Clary FRS shares his memories and photographs from 15 years as President of Magdalen College

It all started in the summer of 2004,” he recalls. “I received an email out of the blue from a search agency asking whether I might like to be President “of Magdalen College.” Sir David was a leading theoretical chemist at the time, and Head of Division at Mathematical & Physical Sciences at the University of Oxford - the idea of becoming the head of a college was something he’d never considered. But this was not just any college, this was Magdalen! Sir David had visited Magdalen some years earlier, and it was on that visit that the seeds of his ultimate decision were sown. “In 1989, when I was a Senior Tutor at Magdalene College, Cambridge, I was invited to a Gaudy at Magdalen,” he says. Sir David was used to the beauty of Oxbridge colleges - Magdalene is a pretty college, with lovely views over the Cam - but nothing had prepared him for Magdalen. “I remember coming in through the Lodge and being blown away by how beautiful it was,” he explains. “It is such a special place.” Whilst here for the Gaudy, Sir David even stayed in the magnificent President’s Lodgings, little knowing that it would become his home 16 years later. If this were not enough to sway him in his decision, Sir David visited College again a few weeks before he received the email from the agency, when his friend and Nobel Prize winner Ahmed Zewail was to be awarded an Honorary Degree at Encaenia. Despite the unseasonably wet weather, returning to Magdalen brought those first impressions flooding back. “I was reminded of just how beautiful Magdalen was.” The With HRH Prince Charles (above) and Yusuf Islam (below), timing couldn’t have been better. commonly known as Cat Stevens

17 FLOREAT MAGDALENA I remember coming in through the Lodge and being blown away “ by how beautiful it was,” he explains. “It is such a special place.”

However, there was one sticking he says. “I went to the Chapel with all at College for students and staff who point: unlike most jobs, becoming the Fellows, they shook my hand in would like to come along. I gave a head of a college affects the whole turn and said the traditional Magdalen speech about the College links to the family - the college becomes not just words of welcome ‘I wish you joy’. I royal family - my earlier research had a place of work, but the family home. also remember a Fellow recommending paid off! The Queen later told the Vice- And more than anyone else, a partner Addison’s Walk. Lady Clary and I have Chancellor that she had enjoyed my is affected by the role. So, as Sir David walked Addison’s almost every day speech. It was a wonderful day and one was weighing his options he spoke to since!” the College will never forget.” Lady Clary about the possibility of him In his time at Magdalen, Sir David becoming President. “I explained all has welcomed royalty, heads of state, Research that was involved, and she thought it and the great and the good including During his time as President at was a great idea,” he says, “so I threw Prince Charles, the Dalai Lama, Magdalen, Sir David has maintained my name in the hat.” David Attenborough, Malcolm Fraser, a research group in theoretical In preparation, Sir David spent a President Karzai and most recently chemistry. He also became the first lot of time reading about the College’s Hillary Clinton. “Whilst showing Chief Scientific Adviser to the Foreign remarkable history. “I love history Hillary Clinton the tapestries in the & Commonwealth Office, a role he and read everything I could find on President’s Lodgings, I mentioned that held between 2009 and 2013. In this Magdalen. I discovered that Richard I was the 42nd President. ‘Oh, like Bill,’ role he advised the Foreign Secretary, III visited here, and that the College she replied,” he laughs. Ministers and officials on science, silver had been donated to the royal But of all the people who Sir David technology, and innovation to ensure cause during the Civil War. It’s a shame has hosted over the years, one stands work on key issues, such as climate Laurence Brockliss’s Magdalen College above all the others. “The visit of the change, energy, food security, counter- Oxford: A History hadn’t been written at Queen has been the highlight of my terrorism, and counter-proliferation that time. It would have made things a time at Magdalen,” he explains. underwent proper scientific challenge. lot easier.” The Queen and the Duke of “I don’t know how I did that,” he Later that year, Sir David was invited Edinburgh came to Magdalen College laughs. “It was a busy time. I was to interview at Magdalen and to meet on Thursday 27 November 2008 to involved in problems such as the with the Fellows. The day went well and celebrate the 550th Anniversary of the dangers of chemical weapons. This some weeks later the Vice-President College. Not her first visit, however, as subsequently turned into a major David Roberts phoned to asked she was here in 1948 when, as Princess research project and we were able to whether Sir David would be available Elizabeth, she came to collect an apply quantum mechanics to determine the following Wednesday at 3pm for a Honorary Degree from the University. the temperatures at which chemical call. Sir David explains how the nerve agents, the worst molecules on “It seemed like good news,” he says. momentous event came about. “Lord earth, are destroyed. This research is But it was only when the call finally Christopher Geidt, the Queen’s Private being used around the world today.” came through that Sir David was Secretary, had studied at Magdalen,” certain. “‘Professor Clary you have been he explains. “So I wrote to him to ask David becomes Sir David elected President,’ he said. After that, whether Her Majesty may be able to In the 2016 Birthday Honours a notice was nailed to the Chapel door visit for our anniversary. A few months Sir David was recognised with a to say that I was the President-elect,” later I received a phone call from the knighthood for services to international explains Sir David. “It was an exciting Lord-Lieutenant saying that she was science. time.” able to attend.” “I received a letter from the Foreign And so on the 1st September 2005 The Queen and the Duke of & Commonwealth Office which said Sir David replaced Anthony Smith Edinburgh arrived at College in the the Queen may graciously approve my C.B.E as President of Magdalen College morning, and, after taking some time appointment as a Knight Bachelor”. He and the President’s Lodgings became to relax in the President’s Lodgings, explains. “It was an exciting time for the the Clary family home. met members of the MCR and JCR. family; my three sons, James, Simon, “An early memory of my Presidency “Then they attended lunch in the Hall,” and Nicholas, and Lady Clary all is the Bishop of Winchester ceremony,” Sir David explains. “We had a ballot attended the ceremony at Buckingham

18 19 FLOREAT MAGDALENA This page. Clockwise from left: HM The Queen; Seamus Heaney; Rayson Huang and Ti Li Loo the first Chinese students in Oxford; and HM The Queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Following page. Clockwise from top left: Dalai Lama; Hillary Clinton; Sir Ian McKellen; HRH Prince William; former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai. Centre: Sir David Attenborough; former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Fraser.

18 19 FLOREAT MAGDALENA 20 Whilst showing Hillary Clinton the tapestries in the President’s Lodgings, I “ mentioned that I was the 42nd President. ‘Oh, like Bill,’ she replied.”

Palace for my investiture conducted by in those days. That’s one reason why I Prince Charles. Rod Stewart was also have always been deeply interested in on the same honours list,” he laughs. access and outreach.” “And I met the cricketer Alastair Cook. During Sir David’s presidency, the The whole family went to the Ritz College has now developed one of the afterwards for a celebratory lunch.” most ambitious access and outreach programmes of any Oxford college, and Magdalen - the family home this year the College received a major Magdalen has played a huge part of the increase in applications and admissions lives of Sir David’s sons, two of whom from under-represented groups. got married here. James, the eldest, got married to Laura in the summer of Sir David’s legacy 2012, and Nicholas, the youngest, got Sir David leaves Magdalen a stronger, married to Polly in December 2018. more inclusive community with “Magdalen has been a fantastic a bright future in teaching and family home over the years,” Sir David research, always aiming for academic says. “We always spend Christmas here excellence and, with the hugely and have the whole College almost successful Magdalen-owned Oxford to ourselves. We all walk around Science Park going from strength to Addison’s. It is so beautiful. I will miss strength, a College leading the way in our Magdalen Christmases.” entrepreneurship. “I will certainly miss being at the Fundraising at Magdalen heart of Magdalen,” he says, “but more Sir David has always played an importantly, it will be sad to leave important role in fundraising at the terrific members of the College Magdalen, and one of the greatest community - the Fellows, the staff, the achievements of his tenure has been students, the alumni and friends of the the renovation and extension of the College - who have helped to make Longwall Library in 2016. the last 15 years so fantastic. I owe a “It was a privilege to be so closely lot also to my housekeeper Maria who involved in the project,” he explains. has provided dinners in the Lodgings “And to have Prince William open the for over 4000 students during my Library was wonderful. When I started Presidency. Lady Clary and I will also From top: Son James and his wife Laura getting we had almost the worst library of greatly miss hearing our superb Choir married at College; son Nicholas and his wife any college, but now we have one of in the Chapel. Polly getting married at College; collecting his knighthood with Lady Clary. the best. Students love working there. “I’m certainly looking forward We owe thanks of course to the more to more time for relaxation. I might Professor Sir David Clary will step than 1000 members of the Magdalen even find time to watch Ipswich Town down in August 2020. He is a Fellow community who contributed to the with my sons,” he laughs. “I wish my of the Royal Society, the American project.” successor Dinah Rose every success Association for the Advancement of in her new role, and if she ever wants Science, the American Physical Society, Access and outreach to ask me anything I will always be the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the As well as being involved in available. Institute of Physics. He is also Foreign fundraising, Sir David has been a big “I’m certain she will love this Honorary Member of the American supporter of the College’s access and wonderful College as much as I have, Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a outreach work. as a place of the highest academic member of the International Academy “I went to a state grammar school achievements, of innovation and of Quantum Molecular Science. He in Colchester,” he explains. “There was excitement, and as a wonderful family will continue his work in the field of little emphasis on applying to Oxford home.” theoretical chemistry.

21 FLOREAT MAGDALENA 22 STARMANThe hypervelocity Magdalen Fellow by Examination Dr Douglas Boubert is a star. At just 26 he is already one of the top scientists in his field in the world. Floreat Magdalena finds out how this stellar astrophysicist went stratospheric, one awkward question at a time

“The question of where [the stars] were coming from was thought to have been solved, but I didn’t buy it.”

23 FLOREAT MAGDALENA In 2005, astronomers from the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics spotted something unusual in the night sky: among “As Douglas scoured the 100 billion stars that make up the skies for stars the our Milky Way, one star in the Northern Hemisphere was travelling streets below him extraordinarily fast - 1.6 million miles bu r n e d .” per hour to be precise, three times as fast as almost every other star in the galaxy. They didn’t know it at the time, but they had just discovered the first hypervelocity star. However, the idea of hypervelocity Left: The Chile riots. stars was not a new one. They had Top: Nearly 200 000 light- been predicted back in 1988 by stellar years from Earth, the Large dynamics theorist Jack Hills who had Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. Right: hypothesised that fast-moving stars A section of a star map showing could be created if a binary star – a star ‘gaps’ in the ‘Gaia-verse’. system made up of two stars – was torn apart by a black hole, sending one of the stars out of the Milky Way. The astronomers didn’t have any for a metaphorical needle in a haystack; Spectroscopic Survey - a collaboration reason to question this, and for more or more accurately, a needle among 100 of astronomers from the US, the UK, than a decade Jack Hills’ hypothesis billion needles. and Australia,” Douglas explains. remained the consensus on how But as Douglas scoured the skies “They were looking for streams of hypervelocity stars were created. That is for stars the streets below him burned. stars which come about when a dwarf until Douglas came along and asked an “It wasn’t great timing,” he laughs. galaxy comes too close to the Milky awkward question. Douglas’s trip had coincided with the Way and gets ripped apart. As they were “The question of where they were Chile riots. measuring the spectrum of these stars coming from was thought to have been This was the second time Douglas they found one very fast star… and they solved,” he explains, “but I didn’t buy had been at a centre of huge disruption thought of me.” The hypervelocity star it. I thought: what if they are coming in the last few months. The first time man? “Yes!” he laughs, “They asked me from somewhere else?” The somewhere was late last year, when a paper he had to join the team to identify it.” else, in this case, is the Large Magellanic co-authored sent shockwaves through The trajectory and speed of this Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky the scientific community and caught particular star meant that the origin - in Way. the imagination of people around the this case at least - was clear: it had been “If they were created by the black world. created by a black hole at the centre of hole at the centre of the galaxy we The paper outlined the details of ,: a the Milky Way some 5 million years would expect to find them everywhere,” star discovered by the Anglo-Australian ago. he explains, “but you only find the 20 Telescope, and the European Space Because of these certainties, Douglas that have been discovered in one part Agency’s Gaia satellite. What made this was able to ask another awkward of the sky, and they line up with the star so special was that it was travelling question: is the current understanding Cloud.” at over 3.7million miles per hour, more of the speed at which the sun orbits our Douglas needed to find more than twice as fast as a hypervelocity galaxy correct? hypervelocity stars to test the Cloud star. It was the fastest moving star in the “We could calculate the speed using theory, so he headed to Chile, to the Universe. the velocity of S5-HVS1,” he explains. Southern Astrophysical Research and “The discovery was made as part of “Because we know where S5-HVS1 Magellan telescopes, to begin his search the S5 - the Southern Stellar Stream is coming from, we can be sure of its

24 the way Gaia maps the sky. “Gaia looks in one direction and spins, capturing a strip of the sky,” he “At the moment we says. “But as it spins, it also tumbles. So know of a fraction rather than a complete picture of the sky, you get a grid; there are gaps we of the hypervelocity need to identify.” stars that may have The second problem is a more come from the Large practical one. “Gaia is the biggest camera in the Magellanic Cloud - world (a billion pixels), but the images I’ve predicted a stream it captures are too big to send to Earth. So, each image is chopped into ‘postage of thousands more. stamps’ around each star and sent to There is so much Earth, but only a million images at a more to be done!” time. “So if Gaia is looking at a part of the sky with more stars than that, such as towards the Galactic centre or the Omega Centauri star cluster, then some of those images never make it to the ground; they are just deleted. We need velocity.” Did he concur with current out as having a large velocity,” he to know which ones. understanding? This time, yes. explains. “I got eight follow-up velocity “The solution to discovering what is Gaia was launched in 2013 at a measurements over several months and being missed is mathematical. We are cost of 1 billion euros. Its purpose was found that the Gaia measurement was trying to discover the completeness of to measure the positions, distances, entirely wrong! the Gaia-verse!” he says with relish. and motions of billions of stars with “I was able to diagnose that the And that completeness is what unprecedented precision. The data it Gaia spectrum of this star was being Douglas is currently working on with produces is more sophisticated than contaminated by a brighter star nearby; Andrew Everall a PhD student from anything scientists have had access to an issue which might have affected Cambridge, and former Oxford Physics before; thousands of papers have been one hundred thousand stars in Gaia.” student. This, alongside tutoring written using it. Although nothing This discovery put Douglas in Nature third-year Physics students in general is ever gospel in science, Gaia comes Astronomy. relativity, and mapping both binary and close. But then Douglas asked another Douglas then began to wonder what hypervelocity stars. awkward question. else may have been missed - could there “At the moment we know of a “When I looked at some of the data, be other issues with Gaia? fraction of the hypervelocity stars I could see that something was wrong,” “Gaia sees only two billion of the that may have come from the Large he explains “Could it be that Gaia wasn’t 100 billion stars in the Milky Way, but Magellanic Cloud - I’ve predicted a working properly?” we don’t understand the biased way stream of thousands more. There is so It turns out that Douglas was right. those stars are picked. This means that much more to be done!” A team at Leiden Observatory in the anything deduced from the Gaia data And as he describes in great detail Netherlands had reported the discovery could be wrong,” he says. “We knew the enormity of the tasks he has set of a handful of hypervelocity stars in that bright stars could contaminate the himself, a light seems to appear behind Gaia and had asked Douglas to take a measurements of nearby dimmer stars, his eyes – a star maybe – and we’re sure look. we now needed to find out which other he’ll do it, one awkward question at a “I discarded most of them as stars were being missed. What are the time. being spurious because of the large problems?” He is after all, the hypervelocity uncertainties, but one of them stood Douglas discovered two. The first is star man.

25 FLOREAT MAGDALENA You heading to the Radder after the rugger?

26 The linguistic life of an Oxford student

Magdalen Fellow in English Professor Simon Horobin sheds light on the often confusing world of Oxford lingo

ven though it may be some the Greek origin. The earlier spelling time since your student is still found in the related adjective days, little has changed in maudlin, now meaning ‘sentimental, Magdalen takes Ethe bewildering world of Oxford lingo. self-pitying’, but originally ‘tearful’, in “ Students arriving in Oxford are often reference to traditional images of a its name from the surprised to discover that they have lachrymose Mary Magdalen. The word Greek Magdala, come up, especially those who aren’t college is from the Latin collegium, the name of the coming from the south of England. meaning ‘partnership’ or ‘society’, and At the end of term they go down – is related to the word colleague. town on the Sea unless they find themselves being sent Magdalen’s head of house is known of Galilee (from down by the University proctors (a as the President; other colleges have variant of the legal procurator). Less a range of different titles: Principal, an Aramaic word heinous crimes can result in a student Dean, Master, Provost, Rector, or meaning ‘tower’), being rusticated: a form of suspension Warden. The head of house presides from which which, etymologically at least, involves over a governing body made up of being sent to the countryside (Latin Fellows (from an Old Norse word Mary Magdalen rusticus). The formal beginning of referring to a colleague in a joint originated.” a degree is known as matriculation, financial enterprise – literally ‘one a ceremony held in the Sheldonian who lays down money’), also known Theatre, in which membership of as dons, from Latin dominus ‘master’. the University is conferred by having If these terms are confusing for new one’s name entered on the register, or students, they must be even more so at matricula. Christ Church (which must never be Magdalen takes its name from the called Christ Church College but can Greek Magdala, the name of the town be referred to as ‘The House’), where on the Sea of Galilee (from an Aramaic Fellows are termed students. The title word meaning ‘tower’), from which reader, a medieval term for a teacher Mary Magdalen originated. In the used to refer to a lecturer below Middle Ages this word’s pronunciation the rank of professor, has recently became anglicised to “maudlin” – been retired at Oxford in favour of as reflected in the contemporary the American alternative associate spelling maudlyn. This medieval professor. Emeritus Fellows are ones pronunciation has been retained in who have retired but are permitted to the name of the College, even though retain the title; the name is the past the spelling has been revised to reflect participle of the Latin verb emereri

27 FLOREAT MAGDALENA “ Implausible examples such as wagger pagger bagger ‘waste paper basket’.” ‘to earn one’s discharge by service’. College tutors (from a Latin word for examples such as wagger pagger bagger Former students, or old members, are a protector); the earliest tutors were ‘waste paper basket’. also known as alumni, a Latin word responsible for a student’s general Perhaps you represented the meaning ‘pupils’, from alere ‘to nourish’ welfare — a post formerly known University against Cambridge – also the root of alma mater, the term as moral tutor and now as personal University (whose affectionate for a former college or university, tutor. In addition to tutorials, students moniker ‘The Other Place’ was literally ‘nourishing mother’. continue to attend lectures in faculties originally a euphemism for hell) in a Students at Oxford read rather than or departments, more or less diligently. Varsity match, a colloquial shortening study a subject, a usage which goes Given the increasing availability of of university with an alternative back to the Middle Ages. All final lectures in digital format, via a weblink pronunciation also found in clerk examinations were originally known or podcast, even more so in recent and Derby, thereby earning a blue. as Greats; this term is now used only weeks, the seventeenth-century wall- The earliest recorded use of this term of the degree of Literae Humaniores lecture —used of a lecture delivered in the Oxford English Dictionary is (‘more humane letters’) — Classics to an empty room – is becoming taken from an article from the Daily to everyone else. No longer in use an increasingly real possibility. The News in 1882, in which one Ralph St is the equivalent term Smalls for University year continues to be divided John Ainslie is described as someone the first year exams; these are now into three terms (from Latin terminus likely to win his blue. But, despite known as Moderations (or Mods), or ‘end, limit’) of eight weeks, known as captaining the Oriel College boat club more commonly as Preliminaries (or Full term. The gradual extension of and trialling for the University Eight Prelims). Sadly, the slang equivalents University business into the vacation on three occasions, Ainslie never got great go and little go have entirely fallen has led to the coinage of such clumsy his blue – a disappointment that was out of use. University examinations are formulations as noughth week and only exacerbated by his failure being sat in Schools, a forbidding edifice on minus first week. Many British enshrined in the pages of the OED. the High Street (or ‘the High’) which universities have jettisoned terms Hopefully your memories of your gets its name from its original use altogether, in favour of the American time at Oxford are more positive than for holding scholastic disputations. semester, from a Latin word meaning those of Ralph Ainslie, and that you Students continue to be required to ‘six-monthly’ (sex ‘six’ and mensis will come back – perhaps to a gaudy, wear formal academic dress to sit ‘month’). from Latin gaudium ‘joy’, where exams; this is known as subfusc, from Memories of your time at the you will have the chance to raise a Latin subfuscus ‘rather dark’. College may be more focused on glass and toast the College: Floreat College exams, rather less formal your leisure moments than on your Magdalena: ‘Let Magdalen flourish’. affairs, are known today as collections, academic pursuits. Perhaps you from Latin collectiones, ‘gathering remember enjoying the College together’. The name derives from the grounds: strolling round Addison’s fact that they occurred at the end of walk, named after former fellow term when fees were due for collection. Joseph Addison, or watching the deer Confusingly, the term collection is in the Grove (from the Old English Raise a glass and toast also used to refer to the end-of-term graf, meaning ‘small wood’). Perhaps “ meeting where a progress report you spent your time playing sport, the College: Floreat is read by a student’s tutor in the even representing the College in an Magdalena: ‘Let presence of the head of house. As well intercollegiate cuppers competition. as fees, students must pay their batells, This name is taken from the cup for Magdalen flourish’.” a bill for food purchased from the which teams compete, with the -er College buttery— originally a wine ending popular in nineteenth-century store, from Latin buttis ‘cask, wineskin’, Oxford slang, best known today from but now extended to include a range of rugger and soccer, but formerly found delicacies. in names like the Bodder ‘Bodleian Teaching in College is still focused library’ and the Radder ‘Radcliffe on the tutorials (or tutes), overseen by Camera’, as well as more implausible

28 There’s the President, the Principal, the Dean, the Master, the Provost, the Rector, and the Warden! So who is running this place?

29 FLOREAT MAGDALENA The Hogarth Papers Hogarth Project Archivist, Ben Taylor, shares some of the highlights from the College archive’s latest acquisition from Magdalen’s eminent archaeologist and friend of T.E. Lawrence

30 31 FLOREAT MAGDALENA n the early summer of 1929, a package arrived at No. 62, St Giles in Oxford. Inside was Ia bundle of decade-old letters and a covering note from Gilbert Clayton, the British High Commissioner in Iraq. Clayton had been a comrade of David Hogarth, a long-time Fellow of Magdalen, during the First World War, when both men had played important roles in the Arab Revolt along with T.E. Lawrence who was a protégé and friend of Hogarth’s. Hogarth had written the letters during the war, and Clayton was now sending them to Hogarth’s widow, Laura. “As you will see,” explained Clayton, “[the letters] contain a good deal of very confidential matter which could not be published, but you will get from them confirmation of the importance of the part [Hogarth] took in great events and of the respect in which his opinions were held by those in the highest quarters.” Thanks to the generosity of Hogarth’s granddaughter Professor Opposite page: Hogarth (right) with T.E. Lawrence. Above: Do You Know The Arab Caroline Barron, this note and copies Bureau? A humorous poem by Hogarth about his wartime colleagues, of which of the letters in Clayton’s package several drafts appear in the collection. Below: Caricature of Sharif Husein, Emir of Mecca and the figurehead of the Arab Revolt by Sir Mark Sykes. are now in the possession of the College with which Hogarth enjoyed a connection for his entire adult life. The documents are part of a collection of Hogarth’s papers Both men had played amounting to some nine boxes of “ important roles in the material, most of which has never before been publicly accessible. The Arab Revolt along with papers promise to give a new and T.E. Lawrence who was intimate insight into Hogarth’s varied career and the times and places in a protégé and friend of which he lived and worked. Hogarth’s.” Hogarth was a member of Magdalen for his entire adult life. He came up as a Demy in 1881 and gained a reputation as one of those undergraduates with the infuriating habit of appearing to do very little work while still excelling academically. His diversions were athletics and the horses, and he also served as

30 31 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Lawrence later reflected that his friendship with Hogarth had “ been ‘perhaps the most important of his life’.”

President of the JCR. Nevertheless, he studied enough to graduate in 1885 with a double first in Greats. He was a Fellow of the College for most of the rest of his life, but spent as much time travelling as he did in Oxford. He became a distinguished archaeologist, known for his work in Greece, Asia Minor, and the Middle East. He was also a writer, and the Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum for almost twenty years. Perhaps of most interest to researchers will be Hogarth’s wartime experience in the Arab Bureau, the branch of British intelligence set up to incite and support the Arab Revolt which propelled his friend T.E. Lawrence to fame. These are some of the striking finds which the project archivist, Ben Taylor, has so far discovered among Hogarth’s papers.

Mark Sykes’ caricatures Sir Mark Sykes was a Conservative MP and an influential government adviser on Middle Eastern affairs during the First World War. Most famous for the Sykes-Picoult Agreement, an Anglo- French backroom deal to carve up former Ottoman colonies in Arabia and the Levant, Sykes was also heavily involved in the Arab Revolt. He designed the Revolt’s flag—a black, white and green tricolour with a red triangle—which influenced the flags of several modern Arab states. He was also a habitual caricaturist, and some of his sketches found their way into Hogarth’s papers. The two shown here feature the Sharif Husein, Emir of Mecca and the figurehead of the Arab Revolt, and a reference to his son Abdullah. Husein cultivated a stately, somewhat ethereal image which led less astute observers to characterise him as a “nice old man”. The big doe eyes which Sykes has drawn on the Sharif here

32 33 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Hogarth was quick to spot Lawrence’s potential. He “ suggested [he] apply for a Senior Demyship at Magdalen.”

are probably a sly nod to this façade: Sykes was most likely aware that the man behind it was in fact a prickly, ambitious, and wily old politician. The machine gun caricature is probably a representation of Husein’s son Abdullah, one of the leaders of the Arab forces during the Revolt. Abdullah apparently boasted to T.E. Lawrence that he had shot a coffee pot off the head of his muezzin three times from twenty yards. It seems that Lawrence repeated the story to Sykes, who provided his own irreverent take on Abdullah’s bravado.

Letter from T.E. Lawrence T.E. Lawrence sent this letter (left) while working on Hogarth’s archaeological dig at Carcemish on the Turkish-Syrian border in 1919. Lawrence gives Hogarth descriptions of likely-looking objects being sold by antiquities dealers in the local souks, These photos of Damascus (top), Petra, and pipers in Beruit, some of which appear to and includes some sketches of his have been taken by T.E. Lawrence, are an immediate and engaging record of the Arab favourites. army in the field during the Revolt. Hogarth was quick to spot Lawrence’s potential after his graduation from Jesus College in 1910. He suggested Lawrence apply for a Senior Demyship at Magdalen, and took him to Carcemish to help manage the dig. It was also at Hogarth’s suggestion that Lawrence was brought into the Arab Bureau at the outbreak of the war. Lawrence later reflected that his friendship with Hogarth had been ‘perhaps the most important of his life’. David Hogarth matriculated from Magdalen as a Demy in 1881, graduated in 1885, and held a including letters to his wife and to the If you are interested in using these papers Fellowship from 1886 until his death explorer Gertrude Bell; as well as press for research, please contact the Hogarth in 1927. His papers will be catalogued cuttings, photographs and other material. Project Archivist, Ben Taylor, at over the course of 2020. The collection The College is hoping to host a one- [email protected] includes many personal diaries day conference in the future at which chronicling archaeological digs, war Hogarth’s legacy can be explored and correspondence, and intelligence some highlights from this important work during WW1; correspondence collection revealed.

32 33 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Women and Power? A Magdalen Story

As part of the College’s celebrations to mark 40 years of co-education at Magdalen, College Archivist Dr Charlotte Berry and Tutorial Fellow in History Professor Siân Pooley curated an exhibition to examine the role women have played in shaping Magdalen throughout the years. Here is a small selection from that exhibition.

College origins and female whether this actually happened, but A fairy godmother for Magdalen benefactors she did certainly donate some land to Sophia Sheppard (1769/70-1848) is an College founder William Waynflete the College. important figure in College history. established the College in 1458 and As the youngest sister of President spent decades acquiring land across An early female signature, Martin Routh (1755-1854), she lived 20 English counties until his death 18 July 1457 in the President’s Lodgings until her in 1486. The rental income from this This agreement (right) between marriage in 1801 to the wealthy former land then financed the College and William Waynflete and Lady Alicia Fellow, Dr Thomas Sheppard. The its Fellows and made it independent Lovell records her gift of three manors couple shared philanthropic interests, for the future, as Waynflete had so in Buckinghamshire to the College. and Sophia continued her good deeds carefully planned. Ultimately this agreement was not following her husband’s death in 1814. But William Waynflete’s plan may honoured, and another manor in Despite this, she remains largely absent not have been possible had it not been Northamptonshire, was given to the in the College’s collections today. for the generosity of two medieval College instead some twenty years Sophia had special interests in women who gave lands to College as later. charitable causes for women and she part of its 15th century origins. This particular document is unusual set up a trust, the Sheppard Fund, as it includes Lovell’s own signature which was administered through Lady Joan Danvers at the bottom – a signature was not Magdalen College following her Lady Joan (or Joanna) Danvers gifted common practice at this time as death. This used money from her and a manor called Stainswick in Berkshire usually wax seals alone were used. We her husband’s estate to support good in 1452 to help establish the College. think that this is probably the earliest causes, including a wide range of When this manor passed into College female signature in Magdalen’s archive. educational establishments of which hands, the original title deeds came The seal with a rare straw surround Magdalen was one. Two charitable too as proof of ownership. The College featuring a wolf’s head and inscription activities benefitted women – an still has over 13,000 such medieval is attached. almshouse and a hospital. deeds which document a long history of land ownership. The earliest estate List of Civil War residents Magdalen College as a London deeds date from the late 12th century. War between the Royalists and the property developer Much of this land was sold off by the Roundheads broke out in 1642 in Sophia bequeathed a small College in the 20th century. England. King Charles I made Oxford estate called Burntwood Farm in his headquarters, and some of the Wandsworth to the College on her Lady Alicia Lovell King’s courtiers and their attendants death in 1848. This was a valuable Little is known about Lady Alicia moved to Magdalen with their wives, piece of land located in Surrey which Lovell, although several members of children and female domestic servants. was divided up and developed as her family are represented within the A few College Fellows also brought Victorian housing. College’s medieval archives. In the their own relations inside the walls, This printed map (right) from 1450s, Alicia proposed funding two and the resident male College Fellows 1899 shows the extent of Sophia’s gift, graduate Fellowships for theology at and students found themselves sharing with new street names named after Magdalen which would ‘preach and their space with women and children. Magdalen figures, such as President teach the law of God’. It is not certain Routh and Bursar Henderson.

34 This page. Clockwise from top left: an agreement between William Waynflete and Lady Alicia Lovell; a map from 1899 showing the extent of the gift to College from Sophia Sheppard; List of Civil War residents.

Overleaf. Top: A photograph of College staff from around 1910. Middle: A paper submitted by students to Magdalen’s Governing Body arguing that the admission of women would remove an academic ‘injustice’. Bottom left: A letter sent to Magdalen’s President by the historian A.J.P. Taylor. Bottom right: A note from A.J.P. Taylor.

35 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Female visitors to Magdalen owned by the College and leased to the Scandalous and lewd creatures The College’s 15th century statutes University. With the exception of the College’s set out the rules and regulations The President’s household was run President, who could marry and live of Magdalen, which was a heavily as a separate unit. In the 1881 census, with his family on site, all Fellows male-centric institution. Despite this, it was made up of a male butler and and students were required to remain College life was not entirely isolated page, and female cook, lady’s maid (for celibate. If they wished to marry, they from the world outside. A small the President’s wife Margaret Bulley), had to resign their post until new female community lived within the housemaid and kitchenmaid. Female statutes in 1880 permitted certain College walls during the Civil War servants were usually unmarried or Fellows to retain their posts if married. in the 17th century. Women were widowed. Domestic service was the By the 1920s, most Fellows were also regular visitors, particularly principal form of paid employment married. when the Picturesque Movement and for women until the mid-twentieth The 15th century statutes also Romanticism developed in the late century. dictated that students and Fellows 18th-early 19th centuries, sparking were ‘to keep away altogether a fashion for visiting scenic sites of from suspicious companies… historical interest. [and] disreputable or suspicious communications’ and permission Women as servants, tenants The 15th century statutes was needed to spend the night away and staff “ from College or to leave Oxford. The 15th century statutes specify that specify that all domestic Similarly, the statutes list the ‘greater all domestic work ‘be performed by work ‘be performed by Crimes’ of heresy, simony, perjury, Males, that all sinister suspicion be so Males, that all sinister theft, homicide, adultery/fornication, far as may be, warily eschewed; unless incest and battery which would lead haply there be a Washerwoman for suspicion be so far as to immediate expulsion from College the towelling and other napery...; and may be, warily eschewed; without the right to appeal. our will is, that she be of such age, and such condition that a sinister suspicion unless haply there be The decision to admit women to cannot in all likelihood light upon her’. a Washerwoman for Magdalen College Women also engaged with Magdalen the towelling and other In 1969 Magdalen students elected in a business capacity on a regular basis a Junior Common Room (JCR) as tenants of the College’s numerous napery...; and our will is, committee that believed that co- properties across England. And in that she be of such age, education might be a ‘vote winner’ the later 19th century and during the within the male student community. 20th century, women appear more and such condition that a The JCR President, David Kosky, later frequently on the pay roll as members sinister suspicion cannot described the admission of women of College staff in their own right. in all likelihood light upon as a ‘pipe dream’, but a referendum in A small group of College servants 1969 found that 69 per cent of the 160 lived within the walls of the site. The h e r ’.” students who voted were in favour of College’s domestic staffing structure co-education. had originally been outlined in the This is the paper (right) that 15th century statutes, but by the 19th students presented to Magdalen’s century, the porter and the head Photograph of College staff, Governing Body. They argued that the groom each lived on site within their c 1910 admission of women would remove own residences, together with their The date of this photograph is not an academic ‘injustice’, increase wives, children and other relatives, given, nor do we have the names of the ‘academic standard’, and create and sometimes other college servants. those pictured. We don’t know what a more ‘balanced society’ within Gardeners also lived across the High jobs the seven women seated in the College. They also dismissed concerns Street in the grounds of the Botanic second row had within College. Spot about women’s incompatibility with Gardens, which were (and still are) the College cat! Magdalen’s antique plumbing.

36 Letter from A.J.P. Taylor to President James Griffiths, 6 November 1969 This letter (right) was sent to Magdalen’s President by the historian A.J.P. Taylor. As a Fellow at Magdalen, Taylor had heard of the JCR’s referendum, and asked College to ‘take a further step in the sex war’ by revising the statutes to permit the admission of women. Two-thirds of Governing Body needed to vote in favour of the change, but in 1970 only 60 per cent supported co-education.

Note from, 21 May 1976 This further note (right) from A.J.P. Taylor prompted Governing Body’s fourth vote on the admission of women on 16 June 1976. The motion passed with the support of 71 per cent of the fellows present. In 1977, the University permitted a second cohort of men’s colleges to become co-educational. As a result, women were finally admitted to Magdalen from Michaelmas (autumn term) 1979.

“In 1969, Magdalen students elected a JCR committee that believed that co-education might be a ‘vote winner’.”

Women and Power? A Magdalen Story was originally planned to be available to view in the Old Library every Wednesday until the end of September.

We hope the exhibition prompts members of the Magdalen community – past and present – to help the College to develop its archive. If you have photos, diaries, programmes, posters etc from your time at Magdalen that you are happy to donate, please contact the College Archivist Charlotte Berry at [email protected]

37 FLOREAT MAGDALENA PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

A ground-breaking new initiative to help equip future Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) leaders with the tools and knowledge required to stand for senior leadership positions was launched at Magdalen last September.

38 39 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Left: Pathway to Success particpants and organisers with the former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow at the Houses of Parliament. It was a delight to “ our community, as well as prospective result: Pathway to Success, now probably have participated in students, about our commitment to Europe’s gold standard in diversity the prestigious OBV increasing diversity, and also helps to political leadership. I have no doubt the create role models for future students at leaders from this cohort who’ll take the programme, and a Magdalen, Oxford, and beyond.” highest offices will do so with wisdom wonderful experience 30 participants stayed at College and integrity.” to have stayed at during the programme and spent six Participant Laks Mann, LGBTQ+ days taking part in a range of intensive Lead for the Mayor of London’s Equality, Magdalen College.” leadership workshops at Magdalen Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group and the BSG: Parag Mehta, a political and Pathway participant, added, “It Laks Mann, 2019/20 programme participant campaigner in the US, gave a session on was a delight to have participated in how to plan a political campaign; Emily the prestigious OBV programme, and a Jones, the Associate Professor of Public wonderful experience to have stayed at Policy at the BSG, gave a session on Magdalen College. I feel so honoured to how to negotiate; and ‘understanding have been selected to take part in such business’ was the focus of the session an incredibly inspiring, informative and presented by Fiona Cannon from insightful week. Lloyds Bank and Magdalen alumnus “I appreciated every aspect, from Dan Monzani (1997) from the expert speakers delivering masterclasses Department of Business, Energy and and the knowledge imparted by Lord Industrial Strategy. Participants also Woolley, to the unique opportunities learnt about the science and politics to engage with representatives from of climate change, and the history of Magdalen College, the Blavatnik School UK education policy, with Magdalen of Government, and the House of Fellows Professor Liam Dolan and Commons. Professor Jane Gingrich. “Being in the company of delegates The programme also included a from such a diverse range of backgrounds visit to the Houses of Parliament where from across the UK was truly a blessing. participants met John Bercow, David I stayed on in Oxford for the weekend to Lammy MP, alumnus Lord Jay (1965) relax in the city, gather my thoughts, and ©UK Parliament / Roger Harris. and others. They also had the chance to reflect on what the future may hold!” to put their debating skills to the test at Magdalen is committed to redressing the Oxford Union, debating the motion the under-representation of BAME The six-day Pathway to Success ‘This house believes that the internet is students at Oxford. The Pathway to Leadership and Development programme detrimental for society’. Success programme – as well as working was set up by the House of Commons and During the evenings, participants with Lord Simon Woolley and OBV – Operation Black Vote (OBV), and is run dined in Hall with Magdalen Fellows provides a unique opportunity to connect in partnership with Magdalen College, and alumni, as well as students from with, and learn from, influential BAME the Blavatnik School of Government across the University. And on the final figures, and to support diverse leadership (BSG), and Lloyds Bank. evening the President and Lady Clary in politics and society in general. Magdalen has also been able to gave a special tour of the President’s Magdalen College would like to thank extend the original initiative to include Lodgings and the Old Library. our programme partners, participants, a year-long mentoring programme for “A lot of good people came together and the alumni who have supported this participants, thanks to more than 30 with a simple idea,” said Lord Simon initiative. Magdalen alumni working in politics and Woolley, Founder and Director of business who have offered their time. OBV. “To bring our institutions, For more details about our wide range “We are excited to be involved in organisations, networks and personal of outreach initiatives, get in contact this new programme,” said Ed Dodson, energies towards a collective goal: with our access and outreach team at Senior Outreach and Access Officer at the nurturing of the next generation [email protected] Magdalen. “It sends a clear message to of senior Black political leaders. The

38 39 FLOREAT MAGDALENA do wealthy people become wealthy? Is mobility enterprise – and a youth mentor. there a skill? And if so, how do I get it?’ But Reggie’s remarkable story doesn’t end And then, out of the blue, inspiration there. struck from two disparate sources: his In 2019, he became a participant on our church and… Joan Rivers. very first Pathway to Success programme “An idea suddenly sparked inside of which aims to help equip Black, Asian, and me,” he explains. “I knew I needed to Minority Ethnic (BAME) leaders like him come out of my comfort zone, something with the tools and knowledge required to my church had taught me, so why not stand for political office. just ask wealthy people how they did it, “I know from personal experience that Reggie Nelson like Joan Rivers in her show ‘How’d you it’s hard to aspire for something if you get so rich?’.” don’t see people who look like you doing 2019/20 programme participant So Reggie set about his plan: he it,” he explains. “You think, ‘Am I good Reggie grew up on a council estate in Googled ‘richest areas in London’ and enough to be in that environment?’. This east London. His parents did their best headed off to Kensington and Chelsea programme helps to provide visibility in for him and his older sister, but with to discover the secret to success. And a space where many bright, talented, and little money the Nelsons were often just against all the odds it worked. impressive individuals might never have scraping by - life was hard. Reggie began by asking people on the access: politics.” The deck may have been stacked streets of Chelsea, but he wasn’t getting Reggie took part in the week-long against Reggie – a young Black man the tangible results he was after, so he residential programme in September 2019. growing up on a London council started to knock on doors. And when A highlight for him was winning a debate estate – but he had a secret weapon: Quintin Price opened his door Reggie’s at the Oxford Union (something for which ambition. “I was determined to become life was changed forever. he had less than 24 hours to prepare!) and the first generation wealth builder for hearing from Parag Mehta who worked on my family,” he explains. And Reggie set the Barack Obama campaign. about changing his life. After graduation Reggie and the other But how? Role models were few This programme helps 29 programme participants were paired and far between on the estate, and “ to provide visibility in a with a mentor: a member of the Magdalen opportunities were limited. “The space where many bright, community. Reggie’s mentor is alumnus the majority of people were either into Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt (1985). music, football or crime,” he explains. talented, and impressive “The relationship is going very So, with few options, Reggie individuals might never well,” says Reggie. “It’s great to have the plumped for football and threw himself opportunity to pick the brains of someone into the sport. He put the time in, have access: politics.” at the frontline of politics. Jeremy has trained hard, and excelled, playing introduced me to his network so that I can at youth professional level. But at 17 “Quintin is the former Head of continue to grow and learn.” everything changed and his promising Alpha Strategies at BlackRock,” Reggie It’s all too easy when you hear a story career was cut short. explains. “He invited me into his home like this to believe that Reggie, with his “My dad died due to alcohol abuse and listened to my story. He gave me powerful secret weapon, would always and I stopped playing football,” he advice and guidance, which turned have succeeded. But all too often bright, explains. From that moment Reggie into work experience. This led to me brilliant, equally ambitious BAME people knew he needed to pursue something going to university, something I’d never like him fall through the cracks. with more certainty, something for the planned to do. I studied Economics and Magdalen is proud to have played a part long term. He needed to find a new Mandarin and graduated with a 2:1.” in Reggie’s story; a story that he now travels strategy to build wealth. So he picked Today, Reggie is Graduate Analyst the world sharing; a story that he is turning himself up and started again. at Legal and General Investment into book; a story we hope will inspire Reggie knew where he wanted to be, Management. He is also Group Chair others to take part in our programme as he just didn’t know how to get there. He of the ACCA Emerging Talent Advisory participants, mentors or donors. kept asking himself over and over, ‘How Group, Founder of K3D – a social

40 Pathway to Success Mentorship Programme One of the most valuable ways in which Magdalen contributes to the Pathway to Success Leadership and Development initiative is through its mentorship programme, in which the programme participants “My mentor has given me are allocated a mentor from the Magdalen alumni community. After new perspectives, probing the week-long residential course at Magdalen, the 30 participants are matched with a volunteer alumni mentor, and they commit to a challenges and the clarity mentoring partnership for the rest of the academic year. The current mentors in our first cohort include politicians such as I was seeking, as I look to Lord Hague, Dominic Grieve, Jeremy Hunt and Nick Boles; peers such maximise the synergies of my as Baroness Harding, Lord Jay, and Lord Wood, as well as business leaders, leadership coaches, lawyers, journalists and entrepreneurs - all career experiences and seek from among our alumni. The rich variety of skills and experience our out new opportunities.” mentors can offer has led to some extremely rewarding partnerships, giving the participants the tools and confidence to take the next step Laks Mann, 2019/20 programme participant in their own leadership careers, and has been mutually beneficial, with mentors learning a huge amount from the participants in return. The mentoring programme and the Pathway to Success Leadership and Development programme provide a unique opportunity for Magdalen to support diverse leadership in politics and society in general, and to connect with, and learn from, BAME leaders. “I have never been more proud to be a member of Mentor recruitment – can you help? Magdalen College. I can’t Magdalen has committed to running the Pathway to Success programme for the next three years, and we are now keen to build tell you how excited I am to on the calibre of this year’s mentorship programme to create an exceptional bank of alumni mentors in senior positions in the civil watch [the programme] grow service, politics and business for the 2020-21 programme starting this over the years.” October. We are delighted that Baroness Lane Fox and Sarah Healey, 2019/20 Mentor Permanent Secretary of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have already joined the 2020/21 mentorship team. If you have relevant experience in politics, the public sector, business, or leadership coaching, and would like to be part of this exciting project, then please get in touch for more information at [email protected]. The guideline core time required of mentors is six hours, spread Mentorship in this programme over six mentorship sessions over the nine months to the end “ of June 2021, but there is considerable flexibility for the mentor is a crucial component as it and participant to determine together the best format and level provides a safe space to share of commitment. We also host optional events at Magdalen and Westminster throughout the year for mentors to meet one another and fresh perspectives, accelerate the full cohort of participants. professional goals, and tap into Through initiatives such as Pathway to Success, we aim not only to increase diversity at Magdalen, to make it the most dynamic of new influential networks.” academic and intellectual environments, but also to have an impact on Frank Starling, 2019/20 programme participant society beyond the spires of Oxford.

41 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Honourable mentions

Dr Kumi Naidoo (1987), the Secretary National Congress where he supported General of Amnesty International, adult literacy campaigns and voter has been elected an Honorary education efforts to empower Fellow of the College. historically and systematically Kumi came to Magdalen disenfranchised communities. as a Rhodes Scholar in 1987 As well as his current work with where he completed a DPhil Amnesty International, Kumi is the co- in Political Sociology. He is founder and interim chair of Africans a life-long social justice and Rising, a pan-African movement of environmental campaigner, people and organisations, working for and has held a number of peace, justice, and dignity. high-profile leadership roles In 2018 he gave the Waynflete including Executive Director Lecture at Magdalen College entitled of Greenpeace International. ‘Creative maladjustment in a time of He was born in Durban, South affluenza’. In it, he outlined many of Africa, in 1965, and played an active the greatest problems faced by society, part in the anti-apartheid movement, including inequality and climate organising his first protest at 15 which change, and the urgency with which Dr Kumi Naidoo (1987) was saw him expelled from school. they need to be addressed. At 21 he was charged with violating Magdalen College is delighted to elected an Honorary Fellow of the state of emergency regulations be able to recognise the remarkable the College and was forced to go underground. It achievements of Kumi in this way. was at that time that he applied for a Rhodes Scholarship. “I had to go to the interview in disguise,” he remembers. After Magdalen, Kumi returned to South Africa to work with the African

“At 21 [Kumi} was charged with violating the state of emergency regulation. It was at that time that he applied for a Rhodes Scholarship. “I had to go to the interview in disguise,” he remembers.” Kumi in 2018 when he gave the Waynflete Lecture at Magdalen College entitled ‘Creative maladjustment in a time of affluenza’.

42 Indra Morris (1992), the Director “My honour for services to social General for Social Care, Mobility and mobility was a very special surprise. Disadvantage, in the Department for More importantly it serves as a Education, was awarded a Companion reminder that where you grow of the Order of the Bath for services up, if you grow up in care, or to social mobility in the New Year’s the school you go to, still Honours lists. holds more sway in your life Indra came to Magdalen as a mature chances than your talents. student in 1992 where she completed a “I got a place because BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. the late Derek Robison saw She left school early, but returned to something when I applied complete a certificate of higher education as a mature student, with no at Hillcroft College for Adult Women, and idea what I was doing and an then worked in Hackney Social Services access course qualification no before coming to Magdalen. one had heard of. I was lucky As well as her work as Director because Derek had come a similar General for Social Care, Mobility and route. It really shouldn’t be about luck. Disadvantage, since January 2019, Indra “All of us, especially employers has also taken on duties as the Deputy or educators, should be working to Indra Morris (1992) was Permanent Secretary. change that. It’s great to see Magdalen Indra was Director General at both doing its bit.” awarded a Companion of the HM Treasury and Ministry of Justice as Last year, Indra returned to College Order of the Bath well as spending a short secondment to to speak at an Alumni Dinner to share the Cabinet Office. Indra also spent nearly her remarkable story. 10 years at Accenture, where she became Magdalen College is delighted that a strategy partner focused on public Indra has been recognised for her services. achievements in social mobility.

“[Getting a place at College] really shouldn’t be about luck. All of us, especially employers or educators, should be working to change that. It’s great to see Magdalen doing its bit.”

Indra in 2019 when she gave a talk on young people leaving care at an Alumni Dinner.

43 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Outreach Access and Outreach is a strategic priority at Magdalen, and the 2019 intake of undergraduates has shown significant increases in the numbers of students from under-represented groups.

Magdalen College was founded on the Increasing our visibility represented groups, relative to other principle that education at the highest In its first year, the new Outreach Oxford colleges. Now, however, we are level should be available to everyone Team conducted over 80 outreach proud to say that Magdalen is leading with the ability to succeed. We still events, engaging with more than 2,500 the way in terms of access. believe that today. prospective students. In 2019, this Access Fellow Professor Robin We take our responsibility to number leapt to 116 events, reaching Cleveland commented, “The increase in discover potential and provide an more than 10,000, including Open the diversity of Magdalen’s student body opportunity for it to flourish seriously Day visitors. this year reflects well on the emphasis that – it’s there in our motto: Floreat We are delighted to say that the has been placed on access and outreach in Magdalena! But we know that barriers access and outreach programme has the past two years. still remain for some of the brightest received overwhelmingly positive “In particular the work of the Access prospective students. That’s why we support from across the Magdalen and Outreach team in visiting schools continue to make access and outreach community. During the 2019-2020 across the country and hosting students a priority. academic year so far, 17 academics at the College has made it clear that have contributed taster sessions to our Magdalen is open and accessible to all.” The Access and Outreach strategy outreach events, in subjects including Sarah Rosson, the JCR Admissions In May 2018 the University of Oxford Law, Physics, Music, and Medicine. and Access Trustee for 2019, added, “It’s published its first Annual Admissions Students, staff, and alumni have also fantastic to see that there is progress being Statistical Report which investigated given considerable time to support made and that our outreach efforts are how Oxford can best work to ensure the work. paying off. fair representation of talented students “We’re really looking forward to from all backgrounds in the UK. The Access and Outreach ensuring that we continue this positive The Statistical Report for 2015-2017 programme effect t re n d .” showed that Magdalen needed to do a Magdalen College saw a marked lot more to attract prospective students increase in the number of new from under-represented groups. undergraduates from under- UK-domiciled students who In response to this, Magdalen represented groups last year compared started in October developed an ambitious new Outreach to the period 2016-18. and Access Strategy for the period Of the 76 UK-domiciled students who started in October last year 31.5% 2018 - 2023, with four goals: Attended a state are from Black, Asian, and Minority 59.2% secondary school 1. To give opportunities for Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (an outstanding education to students increase of 20.7 percentage points from regardless of background. the average for the previous three years) and 60.5% are female (an increase of 2. To increase the presence of under- 16.1 percentage points). From BAME represented groups at Magdalen and 59.2% new-starters attended a state 31.5% backgrounds at Oxford. secondary school (an increase of 8.8 percentage points), 13.3% are from 3. To promote Magdalen and Oxford socio-economically disadvantaged to all students with the potential for areas (an increase of 4.2 percentage If you would like to find out more academic excellence. points), and 17.6% are from areas with about our access and outreach work please low progression to higher education contact our Outreach Team at 4. To support the University as a whole (an increase of 8.9 percentage points). [email protected] in its outreach and access work. Previously Magdalen admitted low numbers of students from under-

44 “It’s fantastic to see that there is progress being made and that our outreach efforts are paying off.”

45 Starter for tens

The Revd Dr Andrew Bowyer joined Magdalen College as the new Dean of Divinity last year. He was raised in Melbourne and was ordained in the Anglican Church of Australia in 2008. Here he shares a few of his favourite things.

 This Chalice and paten is used each was determined to see the Musée arrived in my Waynflete flat last July at currently housed in the National Sunday morning Eucharist at College National Marc Chagall. I had read the height of summer, I opened all the Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Chapel. To me it represents holiness, this autobiographical reflection in windows and turned up the volume as It depicts the grassy plains on the communion, Divine beauty and the preparation, which tells of Chagall’s I unpacked! outskirts of the city, so familiar to gift of priestly vocation. In the liturgy childhood in a poor, beleaguered me as a boy. The painting evokes the the bells are rung at various points Jewish hamlet in pre-revolutionary  Donald MacKinnon was the subject colours and smells of the Australian to accompany the priest’s prayers Russia and his determination to live of my PhD Thesis, which I gained summer. over the bread and the wine at the his artistic vocation despite opposition from the University of Edinburgh in Eucharist, alerting the congregation and displacement. In extraordinarily 2016. After many revisions, it was  This figure of Tintin was given to 46 to the sanctity of the moment. They vivid colour his paintings portray the released in unaffordable hardback in me by a friend on leaving Edinburgh, also alert congregants to the ‘high struggles of the Jewish people, the 2018 as ‘Donald MacKinnon’s Theology; where I lived and studied in 2012- church’ tradition of Chapel worship at endurance of faith and stories that To Perceive Tragedy Without the Loss 2015. I was thrilled to receive it, Magdalen. make life worth living. of Hope’. MacKinnon was an Anglican because I had absorbed myself in Tin theologian and moral philosopher who Tin’s adventures as a child. It also  The Icon, often called ‘The Virgin of  The green book is A Prayer Book taught Iris Murdoch in Oxford and brings to mind wonderful memories Tenderness’ is written in the Byzantine For Australia, a modern take on the Rowan Williams in Cambridge. He of walking the Scottish Highlands and style. I bought it in Athens while I Book of Common Prayer for use in combined a commitment to orthodox evokes my nomadic life since leaving was travelling there with a group of the Anglican Church of Australia. It Christianity with a conviction that Melbourne in 2004. students in 2017. The Greek Orthodox features a depiction of the Australian faith must remain restless, questioning icon writer offered me strong coffee wattle flower on the cover. I include and open-ended.  J.G. Ballard’s The Drowned World and refused to believe that I was a it as a reminder of my school days and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road priest because I lacked a substantial and my early days as a priest,  This is the key to the Magdalen are two novels that continue to shape beard. A copy of a similar icon was moving around between six small College Chapel, here representing my imagination years after reading given to me when I left Australia to congregations each week in rural New the great line of predecessors and them. Both are intense, dystopian and come to the UK in 2012, so, as well as South Wales. the responsibility I feel to be a good immensely creative. They explore the being a universal image of maternal steward of the spiritual life of the lives of characters who seek solace love, it reminds me of home.  Ascenseur pour l’échafaud is an College. in the midst of environmental and album by jazz musician Miles Davis societal break-down; make of that  In January, I took a walking from 1957. It’s thoughtful, haunting  This is a reproduction of Arthur what you will! holiday in the south of France and and at times melancholy. When I Streeton’s Near Heidelberg (1890), 2

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Olivia Webster is the Outreach the river, the Chapel tower and New If you could go back in time, and Access Officer at Magdalen. Buildings. It’s a lovely place to read where would you go? Her job is to encourage prospective during the summer. I studied History at Merton College students to consider Oxford and before beginning at Magdalen and one Magdalen as an option, no matter What does Magdalen mean to you? of my favourite topics was Joan of Arc. what their background is. Her primary I see Magdalen as a place of So I think I’d probably go back to 1429 responsibility is to run outreach opportunity. For me personally, the France when she helped lift the Siege events. Olivia grew up in Barnsley and, College took a chance on a fresh of Orleans to have a chat with her. If after participating on a UNIQ summer graduate to give me my first full-time I didn’t get killed in the siege, I’d also school, she secured a place at Oxford job doing something I really love. quite like to go and hang out in an University. This is her first job. Also in a wider sense for the school American movie theatre during the students I work with, who are aspiring golden age of cinema. What do you most enjoy about to study here and more than ever your job? before have the chance to do so. How do you relax? The best thing is definitely working I’m a bit of a film fanatic so in my directly with school students. The spare time I make amateur short films message behind all our events is such and music videos, including one I’ve a positive one – ‘students from all written about a failed alien abduction. backgrounds have the potential to I’m a bit of a film When I’m not making (or watching) study anywhere and achieve anything’. “ films, I’ll probably be drawing It is such a pleasure to be able to fanatic so in my spare portraits. Maybe unsurprisingly these spread this message almost every day. time I make amateur are usually of film characters… What has been the biggest challenge? short films and music How would you describe Probably fixing my student sleep videos.” your perfect day? schedule so I can arrive for a 9am start. I’d probably be back in Yorkshire Or figuring out how my pension works where I grew up with my family and which I still don’t really understand. friends having a movie marathon with Thankfully I’m thoroughly mothered lots of chocolate and a cup of tea. by everyone in the Grammar Hall Tell us something about yourself office so they’ve helped me with these that not many people know. Tell us a joke. adulting basics. I have a toy dinosaur on my desk who What do you call a deer with no eyes? has become our outreach mascot. We No-eye deer (no idea). What has been a highlight? have named him Trevor. My goal is to After the student interview period make him a little T-Shirt to match the was over, we had a big dinner with ones our student ambassadors wear. all the staff and students who helped out which was very fun and very Is there anyone you would like delicious. The student helpers bought to thank and why? us flowers and chocolates which was I’m very grateful for all the support really touching because I used to be I’ve been given by our Senior Outreach the student helper buying the gifts and and Access Officer, Ed Dodson. Right now I was one of the staff they were from day one he wanted to hear my thanking. ideas and opinions which was really encouraging. He’s really helped me What is your favourite part settle in and answered all my ‘stupid’ ROAR!! of College? new starter questions. Together we’ve There is a bench at the start of been able to expand and improve what Addison’s Walk where you can see we can offer schools.

49 FLOREAT MAGDALENA Crossword Set by Professor Simon Horobin

Across Across1 Struggle with elements (7) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 5 Scottish head’s fond of very old holy 1 manStruggle (7) with elements (7) 9 German urban area lacking hotel has 9 10 the Spanish returning in the country 5 (5)Scottish head's 10 Trump,fond of perhaps very oldfrom bottom of VIP guestholy (9) man (7) 11 12 11 Dear former partner writes letter, 9 droppingGerman the urban “miss” (9) 12 Adultarea publicationlacking hotel with Greek beauty onhas the the cover Spanish (5) 13 14 15 16 17 13  Headlessreturning racket in the on top of porters’ lodge (4) 15 Collegecountry dean (5) getting drunk with 18 19 10 startersTrump, of perhapsgin, lager and madeira (8) 18 Local where gin or ale is served (8) 20 21 19 Getfrom a record bottom following of the summits ofVIP southern guest Transylvania (9) - a bit of a 22 23 24 25 trek (4) 1122 Philosophy,Dear former French and Latin here (5) 24 Goldpartner coffer writes heads of Roman archaeologyletter, dropping found in the a pit (9) 26 27 26 Stick"miss" to flat (9) surface - it will stop you spinning (9) 1227 SneakAdult back publication books, way to get one’s 28 29 fortune?with Greek (5) beauty 28 Snakeon the in coverthe grass ( 5)- one talking nonsense, not quietly (7) 1329 Climber,Headless one racket attached to tower (7) 7 Character coming last in home 23 Being welcomed by presenter, ego on top of porters' 27 Sneak backgame books, (5) 4 Local theatre gets a 17boostExam (5) after one Down 8 Drumming getting under one’s skin? 24 Broadcasting touching song (2-3) 1 Supervisorlodge (4) in conflict over study way(6) to get(6) one's pilots are cobblers25 Supernumerary singled fellow out making by vote a rare fortune? (5) (9) (9) 152 Chocolate, College deanalpen, bananas. This 14 Most important scientific theorem appearance (5) could take off! (9) discussed in lecture (9) getting drunk with 28 Snake in the grass 5 Frustration of Please send20 your Parochialcompleted crossword ruler along 3 Female embracing the French, one 16 German ancient heraldic device is a with your name and year of matriculation to: takenstarters to Paris of gin, against her will? (5)- one talkingbird (9) woman who gaveDevelopment Office,who Magdalenis on the College, right Oxford, 4 Locallager theatre and madeira pilots are cobblers (9)nonsense,17 Exam not after one singledinto out temptationby vote (9) OX1 4AU or emailpage it to [email protected] and getting 5 Frustration (8) of woman who gave intoquietly 20 ( 7)Parochial ruler who is afteron the exerciseright (5) popular at last (6) temptation after exercise (5) page and getting popular at last (6) The first correct entry drawn on Mon 20th July will receive a copy of Bagels, Bumf, and Buses: A Day in 186 They Local came where first ginin sailing or or 29cyclingClimber, 21 Get one control of subject,6 Theywith second came firstthe in Life of the21 EnglishGet Language control by Professor of Simon (9)ale is served (8) attachedinstead to tower of third (6) sailing or cyclingHorobin. subject, with (7) (9) second instead of 19 Get a record third (6) Lastfollowing words the 7 Character coming Down 23 Punysummits originally of meant ‘junior’ or Dismal is from Latin dieslast mali in home‘evil gameOtter is from BeingOld English welcomed otor, related ‘younger’southern and is from Old French1 puisSupervisor days’, in referring to days believed(5) to be to Greek hydrosby ‘waterpresenter, snake’, egofrom Transylvania - a gets a boost (5) né ‘born later’. conflictunlucky over study or unpropitious. 8 Drumming gettingthe Indo-European base of ‘water’. bit of a trek (4) Follow @SCPHorobin on Twitter for(6) more 24 under one's skin? Broadcasting 22 Philosophy, French 2 Chocolate, alpen, (6) touching song (2- and Latin here (5) 50 3) 51 FLOREAT MAGDALENA bananas. This 14 Most important 24 Gold coffer heads could take off! (9) scientific theorem 25 Supernumerary of Roman 3 Female embracing discussed in fellow making a archaeology found the French, one lecture (9) rare appearance in a pit (9) (5) taken to Paris 16 German ancient 26 Stick to flat against her will? heraldic device is surface - it will (5) a bird (9) stop you spinning (9) A history of giving at Magdalen College

Over the years many alumni have chosen to leave a bequest to Magdalen in their Will, as a personal legacy that will endure for centuries to come.

What aspects of College do you most care about preserving in perpetuity?

Is it Magdalen’s sublime buildings and grounds?

Or the intellectual rigour of the tutorial system, and graduate scholarships to unlock the discoveries of the future?

Maybe you just want to help students who need it most, or to support the College’s greatest need?

If you are interested in finding out more about including Magdalen in your Will, please contact Anna Norman Deputy Director of Development and Head of Alumni Engagement for a legacy pack at: [email protected] +44 (0)1865 610342

Find out how your gift will make a difference to the generations of Magdalen students who follow in your footsteps.

50 51 FLOREAT MAGDALENA