Oxford University – A 900 years Old tradition in Learning – Part 2
Recap
On an English summer afternoon we excitedly gathered for an Oxford University Walking Tour to explore the historic University of Oxford- a 900 years old tradition learning centre; whose horizon is lined with Spires, turrets and centuries old stone buildings! It holds layered past of its own and this day trip was offering us a distinctive historic moment, a more immersive enthralling rendezvous to the learning precedent.
Of Harry Potter Films
Oxford walks are much-loved by Harry Potter fans. The series writer J K Rowling’s books sell in millions as well as the films based upon them are a great rage. Several parts of Hogwarts ( a fictional British Boarding school in the Harry Potter novels) are filmed in Oxford University especially filming of movie Sorcerer’s Stone & movie Goblet of Fire was carried out at various locations!
While on the Oxford Walk we discovered that education developed in Oxford since the year 1096 and it became a formal University from 12th century onwards!
Subsequently we had passed 3 Blackwell Booksellers out of the total of 30 bookstores; from the year 1846, stopping at a landmark of Oxford –Bridge of Sighs, an architectural wonder.
Next we photographed the house of Edmond Halley, the 17th century astronomer, who discovered the Halley’s Comet! We came across the students and visitors favourite haunt Turf Tavern- ‘An Education in Intoxication & ‘Oxford’s Best Kept Secret’!!
After that, we had passed by the majestic architecture Bodleian Libraries holding the 15th century School of Divinity– the oldest surviving ‘lecture room & Discussion room’, the English Baroque architecture Sheldonian Theatre and Claredon building.
In a while we saw the mid 13th century University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin which is the centre from which the Oxford University grew and another landmark- 18th century Radcliffe Camera buildingcame up ahead of us.
Dr Radhakrishnan-Fellow at Oxford University to the President of India
Soon after the Oxford Walk led us to the serene vast lawns of the esteemed and wealthiest All Souls College renowned for its marvellous architecture and top-notch Research scholars since the year 1438!!The University was closed for the Summer Break so we found several Photo & Selfie spots around.
Gallery- Sprinklers at work in All Souls College
I stepped into the Time machine to watch the ‘to be’ President of India Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan as Fellow of All Souls College– an important achievement for an Indian Scholar in British colonial India! He held the chair of ‘Spalding Professorship’-1936-1952 allowing him to communicate Indian Philosophy to the West! He confronted the Western analysis and established that the Indian Philosophy was worthy of equal academic value!
All Souls College where Dr Radhakrishnan our 2nd President was aProfessor between 1936-52- a great achievement!
Many more Indians had studied at Oxford University that included our 2 former Prime ministers- Indira Gandhi & Manmohan Singh but those colleges were to be visited another day whilst on another route!!
History of Science Museum- Science Meets Art
Back on the Broad Street we walked towards the History of Science Museum and spotted a large classroom Blackboard displayed there- written upon by scientist Albert Einstein. I stepped into the Time machine to be in the year 1683 and it was a summer day on the 24th of May that the Duke of Yorkopened this beautiful stone building for public, designed by the Oxford University to explore ‘Natural Philosophy’ – what we call Science now!!
History of Science Museum to explore Science behind the headlines
Display outside History of Science Museum
The Stimulating Ground floor
We were pleasantly surprised by the free-entry but donation at will signboard! We began with the ground floor where amongst other displays the world class collections of scientific instruments – Dials, globes and devices made to study stars. Shah Abbas II’s Astrolabe is a masterpiece of both science & art made for the Persian Shah Abbas II.
Unique displays of the Earth & Solar System
The Ground floor display -Persian Shah Abbas II’s Astrolabe
We stepped down an attractive spiral staircase hung with a glittering chandelier from the high ceiling, fit for a Ballroom ; into the basement that was once used as space for public Autopsies’ and a State of Art Chemistry Lab!!
the 17th century majestic staircase of the History of Science Museum with a sparkling chandelier
Visitor Arvind Chopra browsing the Basement scientific displays
Marconi & the Radio
We found ourselves ‘Making Waves’ with 18th century scientist Marconi and his vision to connect the wireless world by exploring the unseen arena of Radio waves that resulted in a revolution by which the whole world stays connected!
Making Waves- Marconi and the Radio
Einstein’s Blackboard from May 1931
Next we spotted our prime highlight of our visit – Einstein’s Blackboard. Glimpsing the mind of the genius on this Board I read that Einstein came to Oxford to give 3 Lectures on his General Theory of Relativity, in May 1931, this Blackboard was used for his second Lecture where he describes what Relativity has to say about the Universe. Einstein’s equations relate the Galaxies moving away from us to space expanding on Cosmic Scales!
Einstein’s Blackboard display- on which he wrote the General Theory of Relativity, in May 1931
I mention for the readers interested, that D measures how quickly the expansion is happening, C is speed of light, T is Time, P is Cosmic-radius. Further the Einstein answers queries like how much matter is there in the universe and concludes that it is 10&100 billion years old! Now it is believed to be roughly 14 billion years old!
We hurriedly walked over to unravel the layers of many more scientific stories in the rest of the museum. For soon we were to resume our Oxford Walk to the famous medieval Trinity college & Balliol Colleges besides the modern Weston Library.