Magdalen College, Oxford

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Magdalen College is a college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, the Bishop of Winchester. It is one of Oxford’s wealthiest colleges and is known for its strong academics. A famous landmark is the tall Magdalen Tower, and the college has a long tradition of its choir singing from the tower at dawn on May Morning.

Location and grounds
Magdalen sits beside the River Cherwell, next to the University Botanic Garden. Its grounds include a deer park and a pleasant path called Addison’s Walk. The college also features a water meadow along the Cherwell.

History and name
The college grew from Magdalen Hall, which Waynflete had earlier established. It is named after St Mary Magdalene. Over the centuries, Magdalen played a notable role in England’s history, including the Civil War, and it has developed a reputation for scholarly achievement. The college has hosted famous writers and thinkers, such as C. S. Lewis and Oscar Wilde.

Architecture and layout
Magdalen is arranged around five quads (courtyards). The Cloister (the Great Quad) is the medieval center of the college, connected to the Founder's Tower. The chapel and hall form the southern side of the quad. Other parts include the Old Library (in the Cloister) and the Longwall Library (the main college library today). The New Building, begun in the 18th century, stands apart from the Cloister and looks onto croquet lawns and the Grove deer park. Other notable areas are St Swithun’s Quad, Longwall Quad (which contains the college library), the Daubeny Laboratory (an important early science building), and various student accommodations.

Chapel and choir
The college chapel is a High Anglican place of worship, with daily services during term. The Magdalen choir sings at chapel services and also leads the famous May Morning performances from the tower.

Academics, libraries, and resources
Magdalen has several libraries: the Old Library in the Cloister with manuscripts, the Longwall Library (the main student library since 1931), and the Denning Law Library in the Grove building. The Daubeny Laboratory, opened in 1848, has a long history in science teaching and is now used for other college purposes. The college supports a range of academic chairs and research.

Student life and athletics
Undergraduates are housed within the college in various quads and houses, with graduate students often living in nearby blocks. The college runs a range of meals: daily hall dining and several Formal Halls each week. Students organize themselves into the Junior Common Room (JCR) and Middle Common Room (MCR) for social events and welfare activities. Magdalen has many student societies, a strong rowing club (Magdalen College Boat Club), and other sports teams. The Grove and deer park provide additional outdoor space for recreation.

Notable alumni and achievements
Magdalen counts many prominent former students and fellows, including Nobel Prize winners in physiology and medicine, and notable writers and politicians. The college’s fellowship and teaching staff have included influential thinkers and artists, such as C. S. Lewis and Oscar Wilde, among others.

Today
Magdalen remains one of Oxford’s most prestigious and well-funded colleges, known for its academic strength, historic buildings, and distinctive traditions, including May Morning and the landmark tower that greets visitors and students alike.