A Traveller's History of Oxford

Book excerpt: A Traveller’s History of Oxford is a wonderful companion and useful guide and reference to this splendid city. It not only offers a complete and concise history of the town and university from its earliest settlements right up to the modern city of today, but gives a thorough introduction to all of its major sites and institutions.Oxford’s gifts to the world have been immense – from the English Bible, the Douai Bible, Anglicanism, the Royal Society, Christopher Wren, yellow ragwort, Methodism, the Pre-Raphaelites, Alice in Wonderland, Aestheticism, The Oxford English Dictionary, The Lord of the Rings, OXFAM, Inspector Morse…the list is endless. Oxford alumni include 5 kings, 25 of Britain’s Prime Ministers, 1 United States President, 36 Nobel Prize winner and 85 archbishops. Richard Tames skilfully weaves into his narrative thread glorious anecdotes and portraits of the eccentrics who have thrived in the town.For visitors there are tips on how to explore five of the great Oxford colleges, suggestions for Literary and Architectural walks, days trips by bicycle, bus,train or car, a guide to the museums and galleries, libraries, gardens and a full biographical summary of great Oxford names.