The Radcliffe Camera is a building of the University of Oxford, England, designed by James Gibbs in a Baroque style and built in 1737–49 to house the Radcliffe Science Library. It is sited to the south of the Old Bodleian, north of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, and between Brasenose College to the west and All Souls College to the east. The Radcliffe Camera's circularity, its position in the heart of Oxford, and its separation from other buildings make it the focal point of the University of Oxford, and as such it is almost always included in shorthand visual representations of the university. The Radcliffe Camera is not open to the public.
Radcliffe Camera, viewed from the University Church
Radcliffe Camera from street level in Radcliffe Square
The Camera, as viewed from outside the Bodleian Library on Catte Street, with St Mary's obscured behind left.
Night view
The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's second-oldest university in continuous operation. It grew rapidly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. After disputes between students and Oxford townsfolk in 1209, some academics fled north-east to Cambridge where they established what became the University of Cambridge. The two English ancient universities share many common features and are jointly referred to as Oxbridge.
Aerial view of Merton College's Mob Quad, the oldest quadrangle of the university, constructed between 1288 and 1378
Balliol College, one of the university's oldest constituent colleges
An engraving of Christ Church, Oxford, 1742
Lady Margaret Hall, founded in 1878