A Different Kind of Camera

I took this snap of Oxford’s famous Radcliffe Camera in the summer of 2002 while on a work trip at Oxford University Press. We were developing what would become the 8th Edition of the Canadian Oxford School Atlas. Check your shelves. You may have an edition of this school atlas tucked away! On this day, I was perched high above the city in the tower of The University Church of St. Mary’s. In fact, I recall getting quite stuck going up the ancient church’s winding stairs. My backpack was full of all sorts of necessary items for a full day of adventure in Oxford: camera, sweater, jacket, snacks, and my companion for the week, Oxford: An Architectural Guide.

Why is this stunning circular building called the Radcliffe Camera? Good question! Let’s start with the camera part. I always do 🙂 Camera is another word for room. So it is Radcliffe’s room. Radcliffe is John Radcliffe, physician to William III and Mary II in the 1700’s. Upon Radcliffe’s death, he bequeathed money to build a library intended to house the best of the best in Science books and manuscripts. Between 1737 and 1749 James Gibbs designed and built what would become The Radcliffe Camera, now used as a reading room for the wondrous Bodleian Library at Oxford University. On my Oxford Day of Adventure I could not go in The Camera, but I think I managed the second best thing – a sky-high snap of it, lending perspective. If you would like to learn more about the history of the Radcliffe Camera and Oxford University, please visit here, here and here.

Beside my Canon 7D, groovy Olympus Pen and always at the ready iPhone, THIS is my favourite camera!

Happy St. Patti’s Day 🙂 I’m off to have a few green barley sandwiches!