Magdalen Libraries & Archives
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Magdalen Libraries & Archives
@magdlibandarch.bsky.social
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Magdalen College, Oxford has a large circulating library, a significant early printed & manuscript books collection, and an extensive archive.
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Magdalen Libraries & Archives @magdlibandarch.bsky.social · Jan 7
We're delighted to join the BlueSky community. Sadly, today's weather is not playing ball! Here are some GreySky pics of College, which we think still looks pretty lovely.
Exterior of the Longwall Library, Magdalen College, with a dull white sky. A touch of frost on the roof and ground. St Swithun's quad, Magdalen College, with the Great Tower in the background. The sky is grey and there's a touch of frost on the lawn. St Swithun's quad, Magdalen College. A touch of frost on the building's roof and on the lawn. The sky is totally cloudy.
magdlibandarch.bsky.social
Happy #BurnsNight. This portrait of Burns (the original hangs in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery) by Alexander Nasmyth is reproduced in the first volume of his collected works. You can borrow all three volumes from the Longwall Library.
3 volumes of poetry side-by-side on a shelf. They are "The poems and songs of Robert Burns' volumes 1-3, edited by James Kinsley Black and white copy of a colour portrait of Robert Burns, from a book. The original painting is in colour and is from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery's collections. Title page of volume 1 of The poems and songs of Robert Burns' edited by James Kinsley
January 25, 2026 at 6:15 PM
magdlibandarch.bsky.social
We like to think it's more than 'tone' but we enjoyed this library love in 'The Last Continent' by Terry Pratchett.
Longwall Library exterior in the early evening. The sky is light blue and the library's and courtyard lights are on, shining a bright yellow. In the sky, white text reads: "But we're a university! We have to have to have a library!" said Ridcully. "It adds tone. What sort of people would we be if we didn't go into the Library?" - Terry Pratchett, The Last Continent
January 23, 2026 at 10:15 AM
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#OnThisDay in 1946, the writer Julian Barnes was born. Barnes studied at Magdalen between 1964-8. We have several of his books in our Magdalen Authors Collection, including his Man Booker prizewinning novel, The Sense of an Ending. Happy 80th birthday to Julian Barnes! 🎈🎂🎉
A row of library books on a shelf. They are books by the author Julian Barnes.
January 19, 2026 at 4:30 PM
magdlibandarch.bsky.social
This #BlueMonday, we hope these Blue Sky images taken around college brighten your day. 💙
View of Magdalen's New Buildings, taken from the Old Library, with a bright blue sky View of the Water Meadow, with the Great Tower in the distance. The sky is light blue with a scattering of clouds View of Magdalen bridge and the Cherwell, from the Old Kitchen Bar terrace. The sky is blue. Longwall Library exterior in the early evening. The sky is light blue.
January 19, 2026 at 10:15 AM
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This is one of nearly 140 medieval wooden boxes in which Magdalen’s collection of over 13,000 medieval deeds are still kept. Containing documents relating to land and property at Wootton, Oxfordshire, it is today housed in the college’s purpose-built fifteenth-century muniment room.
medieval wooden box containing deeds, of land/ properties belonging to Magdalen College, Oxford.
January 14, 2026 at 10:15 AM
magdlibandarch.bsky.social
Ever wondered who this is above the Old Library door? Now is your chance to find out about him! Special Collections Librarian Jessica has published a new blog post on Bishop John Warner: www.magd.ox.ac.uk/blog/bishop-...
A seventeenth century portrait of Bishop John Warner.
January 12, 2026 at 11:49 AM
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New Year, Old Manuscripts - now available to read digitally. We've just added another 2 manuscripts to Digital Bodleian.

First we have MS Lat 45, Les cronycles by Nicholas Trivet, an Anglo-French manuscript dating back to the 14th century.
digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/0cd6...
January 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Magdalen Libraries & Archives
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Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of @magdalenoxford.bsky.social

It was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, then Bishop of Winchester

"Mrs Cass asked me to send you this with her love - also the Cromer one"

If you like this image, please repost it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm
An old monochrome picture postcard showing medieval college buildings with tower and ivy covered walls. Handwritten on the foot of the card is "Mrs Cass asked me to send you this with her love - also the Cromer one"
December 31, 2025 at 8:01 AM
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To those who celebrate Christmas – and to those who don’t – we hope you have a wonderful day. Quoted in 'Aspects of Wilde' by Vincent O’Sullivan, published by Constable and Company. #WeeklyWildeWitticism
Black and white portrait of 4 people (two men and two women). One of the men is Oscar Wilde. The men hold an oar each. A speech bubble next to one of the women has the words: "Do you keep Christmas, Oscar?" in it. Black and white portrait of 4 people (two men and two women). One of the men is Oscar Wilde. The men hold an oar each. A speech bubble next to Wilde has the words: "No, Brookfield; the only festival of the church I keep is Septuagesima" in it.
December 25, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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We’re rounding off our #Magdvent calendar with another snowy scene #FromTheArchives. So, while we don’t have reindeer, we can give you snowdeer! This photo of the deer park covered in snow was taken in 1966.
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and all twenty-four of the ‘doors’ are open. Deer graze in a snowy field, by Magdalen College's New Buildings.
December 24, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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For today’s #Magdvent, we have: the Library team! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!🎄🎁🎇
Four people stand in front of a large Christmas tree in St John's Quad, Magdalen College, Oxford
December 23, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly. This illustration of a Holly tree, drawn by Alexander Hunter, comes from Silva: or, a discourse of forest-trees by John Evelyn published in 1776 housed in our Old Library (ref. R.12.9). At Magdalen, we have some holly growing in the Fellows’ Garden. #Magdvent
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and twenty-two of the ‘doors’ are open. drawing of Holly, from a botanical book in the Old Library Holly, growing in the Fellows' Garden at Magdalen college
December 22, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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Did you attend this year’s Carols by Candlelight? First organised by John Bloxam in the 1840s, Magdalen’s choir has a long tradition of singing carols and giving readings at Christmastime services.
December 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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We’re sure that lots of children will be getting teddy bears for Christmas. Let’s hope they’re as well-loved as this teddy bear, Archie, who belonged to Magdalen alumnus John Betjeman. Archie returned to Magdalen for a visit. Find out more in our new exhibition:
archieandthepoet.magd.ox.ac.uk
Archie, a teddy bear which belonged to John Betjeman Original watercolour by Phillida Gili of a teddy bear in a kitchen. It was used in the book Archie and the Strict Baptists, by John Betjeman. Original watercolour by Phillida Gili of a teddy bear walking on the roof of a house. It was used in the book Archie and the Strict Baptists, by John Betjeman.
December 20, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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Basil has a Christmas-cracker-worthy joke for you (i.e. a terrible one)! #Magdvent
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and nineteen of the ‘doors’ are open. Soft toy badger (Basil, the Library's mascot), wearing a knitted santa hat and perched atop the library's Christmas tree. A speech bubble has been added next him, with the words: "What was the Librarian's favourite Christmas song?" Soft toy badger (Basil, the Library's mascot), wearing a knitted santa hat and perched atop the library's Christmas tree. A speech bubble has been added next him, with the words: "Dewey Know It's Christmas?"
December 19, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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This Christmas card was sent to JCR Steward, Joseph W. Gynes, by a former student Samuel Whitnall in 1927. What it lacks in design, it makes up for in sentiment. Whitnall asks recipients to think of him, and other distant friends, fondly in their prayers and reflections – which he will do in return.
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and eighteen of the ‘doors’ are open. Plain Christmas card, which simply says the word 'Christmas' on it. Inside the Christmas card, a verse about being full (of Turkey) on Christmas day and reflecting on family and friends in prayer.
December 18, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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Yesterday’s post was all about Austen. Today’s is about another hugely influential British artist: the painter J. M. W. Turner. Turner and Austen were both born in 1775 – 250 years ago. Magdalen is fortunate to own these Turner drawings which are on display in the library, to mark the anniversary.
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and seventeen of the ‘doors’ are open. 3 drawings by J.M.W. Turner, on display in the Longwall Library 3 drawings and a book containing drawings by J.M.W. Turner, on display in the Longwall Library Interior of a Church, drawn and engraved by J. M. W. Turner
December 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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Only out of context could the words of Caroline Bingley make so much sense! Here at Magdalen Library, we have been enjoying the explosion of Austen-related books published this year to mark the great author’s 250th birthday. Austen was born #OnThisDay in 1775. Take a look at our book display.
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and sixteen of the ‘doors’ are open. Book display of works by or about Jane Austen. At the bottom, text reads: “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice poster advertising a book display featuring material by or about Jane Austen
December 16, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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Here’s a list of what Basil will be watching over the Christmas vacation. While we don’t have any of these classic badger tails on DVD, we do have plenty of festive favourites available for you to borrow in our film collection. #Magdvent
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and fifteen of the ‘doors’ are open. A list of fictional movies, which the library mascot, Basil (a soft toy badger) would like to watch. The films are: 1. Miracle on 34th Sett 2. Burrow Alone 3. Burrow Alone 2: Lost in the Woods 4. Love Badger-ly 5. The Santa Claws 6. It’s a Wonderful Burrow 7. Bad…ger Santa 8. Frosty the Snow-Badger 9. The Badger Who Stole Christmas 10. The Fast and the Furriest: Snow Drift Basil (Library mascot, a soft toy badger) wearing a knitted santa hat, posed next to a selection of Christmas films on DVD. The films are: White Christmas, Nutcracker!, A Christmas Carol, Wallace and Gromit: the complete collection, Little Women, It's a Wonderful Life, Love Actually, The Snowman and Father Christmas, Vacanze di Natale
December 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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We certainly wouldn’t mind getting these books for Christmas. These rare editions of works by Oscar Wilde were all previously given as gifts. They feature in our new exhibition: Wild About Printing. #WeeklyWildeWitticism
wildaboutprinting.magd.ox.ac.uk
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and fourteen of the ‘doors’ are open. The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde [Ephemera: Box 3, Item 5. Wilde, O. (1973)] Book cover featuring a geometric design. The book is The young king and other tales by Oscar Wilde. [Magd.Wilde-O. (YOU) 1924] Roses and Rue by Oscar Wilde [Ephemera: Box 2, Item 6. Wilde, O. (1962).]
December 14, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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This photograph of a snowy High Street was likely taken in the 1870s. It’s from an album which belonged to Jules Guggenheim, a Hungarian émigré, who had a photography studio at 56 High Street between the 1860s and 1880s.
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and thirteen of the ‘doors’ are open. Snowy High Street, Oxford taken in the 1870s, showing Magdalen's Great Tower
December 13, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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For today’s #Magdvent, we have a Christmas Eve concert programme from 1952. This copy is from the papers of Harold Boult, who was a Lay Clerk at Magdalen between 1932-1958. During his time at the College, he sang bass decani in the College Choir – and would have performed in this very concert.
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and twelve of the ‘doors’ are open. Concert programme for a Christmas Eve concert at Magdalen College, 1952. The concert started at 9:15am with a rendition of Handel's The Messiah, followed by an intermission for refreshments, and continued with carols.
December 12, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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For today’s #Magdvent we have our Archives Team: Richard, Emily, and Claudia. Together, they manage one of the largest and richest archives of any Oxbridge college, with records stretching over more than a kilometre of shelving and dating from the 1120s to the present day.
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and eleven of the ‘doors’ are open. Three people standing in front of a small Christmas tree full of handmade decorations
December 11, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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This extract is from ‘Cup and Bells’, a short story written by a member of Magdalen staff from the 1930s. Inspired by Magdalen’s annual Christmas Eve carol service, it is a comic mystery about the misplacement of the college’s Founder’s Cup. See this, and more, at the Old Library TODAY 2-4:30pm
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and ten of the ‘doors’ are open. Typewritten short story Poster advertising an Old Library exhibition at Magdalen College. The exhibition is 'The spirit of the place': Magdalen College and its staff from foundation to the present day. The exhibition was curated by Dr Emily Jennings and Dr Richard Allen. It runs to 15th April 2026. A black and white photograph of Magdalen staff posed in the Cloisters forms the header of the poster.
December 10, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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It's not just at Christmas that the library gets gifts. Here we have some lovely editions of Oscar Wilde books which were gifted to us earlier in the year by an Old Member. They were previously owned by our late President, Tony Smith. #Magdvent #WeeklyWildeWitticism
St John's quad, Magdalen College in the evening. At the centre, a Christmas tree is lit up with fairy lights. In the blue sky, a silhouette of Santa's sleigh with his reindeer fly in the sky. There are 6 rows of 4 dotted rectangles with numbers in them - totalling 24. It is an advent calendar, and nine of the ‘doors’ are open. Books lined up next to each other. The books are: The ballad of Reading Gaol (Magd.Wilde-O. (BAL) 1907); Impressions of America (Magd.Wilde-O. (IMPR) 1906); The portrait of Mr. W.H. (Magd.Wilde-O. (POR) 1901); De profundis (Magd.Wilde-O. (DEP) 1905); Vera; or, the Nihilists. : A drama in a prologue and four acts. (Magd.Wilde-O. (VER)) ; La ballade de la geôle de reading (Magd.Wilde-O. (BAL) 1952); and Poems in prose (Magd.Wilde-O. (POE) 1905) Behind them, bays of bookshelves with a rope blocking off their entrance and a stool at their side - in Magdalen's Old Library
December 9, 2025 at 10:15 AM