St Antony's College, Oxford
Encyclopedia
St Antony's College is one of the constituent colleges
of the University of Oxford
in England.
St Antony's is the most international of the seven all-graduate colleges of the University of Oxford, specialising in international relations
, economics
, politics
, and history of particular parts of the world — Europe, Russia and the former Soviet states, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, China, South and South East Asia.
The College is located in North Oxford
with Woodstock Road to the west, Bevington Road
to the south and Winchester Road to the east. As of 2006, St Antony's had an estimated financial endowment
of £30m.
St Antony's was founded in 1950 as the result of the gift of Antonin Besse
of Aden
, a merchant of French descent. Its role was "to be a centre of advanced study and research in the fields of modern international history, philosophy, economics and politics and to provide an international centre within the University where graduate students from all over the world can live and work together in close contact with senior members of the University who are specialists in their fields".
The College first admitted students in Michaelmas term
1950 and received Royal Charter
in 1953. A Supplementary Charter in 1962 was granted to allow the College to admit women as well as men and in 1963 the College was made a full member of the University.
The first Warden
of the College was Sir William Deakin
(1950–1968), a young Oxford academic who in the Second World War became an adventurous soldier and aide to Winston Churchill
. He won Antonin Besse
's confidence and played the key role in turning his vision into the centre of excellence that St Antony's has become. Sir Raymond Carr
(1968–1987), a distinguished historian of Spain, expanded the College and its regional coverage and opened its doors to visiting scholars from all over the world.
Sir Ralf Dahrendorf
(later Lord Dahrendorf) (1987–1997) came to St Antony's after a distinguished career as a social theorist and politician in Germany, a European Commissioner
and Director of the London School of Economics
. He further enlarged the College and developed its role as a source of policy advice. The previous Warden, Sir Marrack Goulding
(1997–2006), served in the British Diplomatic Service
for 26 years before becoming an Under Secretary-General at the United Nations
. His appointment underlined the international nature of the College and its links with government and business. In July 2007 the fifth Warden of the College, Margaret MacMillan
took up her position.
St Antony's is associated with the Oxford Libraries Information System (OLIS), and has been a contributor to the University's on-line union library catalogue since 1990.
The other libraries on the College site are the Middle East Centre Library, the Latin American Centre Library, the Bodleian Japanese Library and the Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre Library. The College also holds an extensive collection of archival material relating to the Middle East at the Middle East Centre Archive.
The college is also host to the St. Antony's Late Bar, located on the ground floor of the Hilda Besse building, serving Antonian students throughout the academic year. In addition to operating as a regular bar, it hosts numerous themed Bops, culture/region/country nights, live music events (guest concerts, open-mic nights, Battle of the Bands), welfare/charity functions, various tastings and launch parties, among others. Popular recurring events include Halloqueen, USA Night, Latin Bop, Balkan Night, and the thrice-annual Drink the Bar Dry.
Colleges of the University of Oxford
The University of Oxford comprises 38 Colleges and 6 Permanent Private Halls of religious foundation. Colleges and PPHs are autonomous self-governing corporations within the university, and all teaching staff and students studying for a degree of the university must belong to one of the colleges...
of the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in England.
St Antony's is the most international of the seven all-graduate colleges of the University of Oxford, specialising in international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
, economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, and history of particular parts of the world — Europe, Russia and the former Soviet states, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, China, South and South East Asia.
The College is located in North Oxford
North Oxford
North Oxford is a suburban part of the city of Oxford in England. It was owned for many centuries largely by St John's College, Oxford and many of the area's Victorian houses were initially sold on leasehold by the College....
with Woodstock Road to the west, Bevington Road
Bevington Road
Bevington Road is a road in central North Oxford, England.The road runs between Woodstock Road to the west and Banbury Road to the east. Winchester Road leads north from half way along Bevington Road....
to the south and Winchester Road to the east. As of 2006, St Antony's had an estimated financial endowment
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
of £30m.
History
| Wardens |
|---|
|
St Antony's was founded in 1950 as the result of the gift of Antonin Besse
Antonin Besse
Antonin Besse of Aden, a merchant of French descent. St Antony's College, Oxford was established in 1950 as a result of his gift.-Early life:...
of Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
, a merchant of French descent. Its role was "to be a centre of advanced study and research in the fields of modern international history, philosophy, economics and politics and to provide an international centre within the University where graduate students from all over the world can live and work together in close contact with senior members of the University who are specialists in their fields".
The College first admitted students in Michaelmas term
Michaelmas term
Michaelmas term is the first academic term of the academic years of the following British and Irish universities:*University of Cambridge*University of Oxford*University of St...
1950 and received Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
in 1953. A Supplementary Charter in 1962 was granted to allow the College to admit women as well as men and in 1963 the College was made a full member of the University.
The first Warden
Warden (college)
A warden is the head of some colleges and other educational institutions. This applies especially at some colleges and institutions at the University of Oxford:* All Souls College* Greyfriars* Keble College* Merton College* New College* Nuffield College...
of the College was Sir William Deakin
William Deakin
Frederick William Dampier Deakin, Sir William Deakin was a historian, World War II veteran, and literary assistant to Winston Churchill....
(1950–1968), a young Oxford academic who in the Second World War became an adventurous soldier and aide to Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. He won Antonin Besse
Antonin Besse
Antonin Besse of Aden, a merchant of French descent. St Antony's College, Oxford was established in 1950 as a result of his gift.-Early life:...
's confidence and played the key role in turning his vision into the centre of excellence that St Antony's has become. Sir Raymond Carr
Raymond Carr
Sir Albert Raymond Maillard Carr FBA FRHS FRSL , known as Raymond Carr, is an English historian specializing in the history of Spain, Latin America, and Sweden who was Warden of St Antony's College, Oxford, from 1968 to 1987....
(1968–1987), a distinguished historian of Spain, expanded the College and its regional coverage and opened its doors to visiting scholars from all over the world.
Sir Ralf Dahrendorf
Ralf Dahrendorf
Ralf Gustav Dahrendorf, Baron Dahrendorf, KBE, FBA was a German-British sociologist, philosopher, political scientist and liberal politician....
(later Lord Dahrendorf) (1987–1997) came to St Antony's after a distinguished career as a social theorist and politician in Germany, a European Commissioner
European Commissioner
A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each Member within the college holds a specific portfolio and are led by the President of the European Commission...
and Director of the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. He further enlarged the College and developed its role as a source of policy advice. The previous Warden, Sir Marrack Goulding
Marrack Goulding
Sir Marrack Goulding, KCMG was a British diplomat who served more than eleven years as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.- Early life :...
(1997–2006), served in the British Diplomatic Service
Diplomatic service
Diplomatic service is the body of diplomats and foreign policy officers maintained by the government of a country to communicate with the governments of other countries. Diplomatic personnel enjoy diplomatic immunity when they are accredited to other countries...
for 26 years before becoming an Under Secretary-General at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. His appointment underlined the international nature of the College and its links with government and business. In July 2007 the fifth Warden of the College, Margaret MacMillan
Margaret MacMillan
Margaret Olwen MacMillan, OC is a historian and professor at the University of Oxford, where she is Warden of St. Antony's College. She is former provost of Trinity College and professor of history at the University of Toronto and previously, at Ryerson University...
took up her position.
Libraries
The Main Building, the former Holy Trinity convent built in the 1860s, houses the Main Library, the Gulbenkian Reading Room, and the Russian and East European Study Centre. The collective holdings of the Main Library and Centre Libraries comprise over 110,000 volumes. Subscriptions to current periodicals number about 300. The Main Library itself holds over 60,000 volumes and subscribes to over 100 current periodicals with the general collections in modern history, politics, international relations and economics, the collections on Europe, Asia, and the non-Slavonic collections on Russia, the former USSR and Eastern Europe. The Main Library also houses some 20th century archive collections including the Wheeler-Bennett papers.St Antony's is associated with the Oxford Libraries Information System (OLIS), and has been a contributor to the University's on-line union library catalogue since 1990.
The other libraries on the College site are the Middle East Centre Library, the Latin American Centre Library, the Bodleian Japanese Library and the Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre Library. The College also holds an extensive collection of archival material relating to the Middle East at the Middle East Centre Archive.
College life
St. Antony's College has some 400 students from over 67 countries. About half of the students have languages other than English as their first language, which provides a very lively and rich cosmopolitan cultural environment, fostered by a communal dining hall and active sport clubs for rowing, cricket and football. The College also has an active European Film Society and College Choir. Student interests are represented by an elected body - the GCR Executive, which is elected on an annual basis.The college is also host to the St. Antony's Late Bar, located on the ground floor of the Hilda Besse building, serving Antonian students throughout the academic year. In addition to operating as a regular bar, it hosts numerous themed Bops, culture/region/country nights, live music events (guest concerts, open-mic nights, Battle of the Bands), welfare/charity functions, various tastings and launch parties, among others. Popular recurring events include Halloqueen, USA Night, Latin Bop, Balkan Night, and the thrice-annual Drink the Bar Dry.
Faculty
- Timothy Garton AshTimothy Garton AshTimothy Garton Ash is a British historian, author and commentator. He is currently serving as Professor of European Studies at Oxford University. Much of his work has been concerned with the late modern and contemporary history of Central and Eastern Europe...
, journalist and author on European matters - Archie BrownArchie BrownArchibald Haworth Brown CMG, FBA, commonly known as Archie Brown , is a British political scientist and historian. In 2005, he became Emeritus Professor of Politics at Oxford University and an Emeritus Fellow of St. Antony's College, Oxford, where he was a Professor of Politics and Director of St....
, historian of the end of the Cold War and author of The Gorbachev Factor - Tariq RamadanTariq RamadanTariq Ramadan is a Swiss academic, poet and writer. He is also a Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Oriental Studies at Oxford University...
, Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies - Homa KatouzianHoma KatouzianHoma Katouzian, PhD is an economist, historian, political scientist and literary critic, with a special interest in Iranian studies. Katouzian’s formal academic training was in economics and the social sciences but he concurrently continued his studies of Persian history and literature at a...
, literary critic and scholar of Iranian studies - Robert ServiceRobert Service (historian)Robert John Service is a British historian, academic, and author who has written extensively on the history of Soviet Russia, particularly the era from the October Revolution to Stalin's death...
, historian of the USSR and biographer of Vladimir LeninVladimir LeninVladimir Ilyich Lenin was a Russian Marxist revolutionary and communist politician who led the October Revolution of 1917. As leader of the Bolsheviks, he headed the Soviet state during its initial years , as it fought to establish control of Russia in the Russian Civil War and worked to create a...
and Joseph StalinJoseph StalinJoseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee... - Avi ShlaimAvi ShlaimAvi Shlaim FBA is a British/Israeli historian. He is a professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford and a fellow of the British Academy.Shlaim is especially well known as a historian of the Arab-Israeli conflict...
, historian writing on the Arab-Israeli conflict and the biographer of books including The Politics of Partition (1990 and 1998), War and Peace in the Middle East: A Concise History (1995), and The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World (2001). - Alan KnightAlan Knight (historian)Alan Knight is Professor of History of Latin America academy at the University of Oxford, England, where he is a Fellow at St. Antony's College and Director of the Latin American Centre...
, post-critical historian, Director of the Latin American Centre, and author of the two-volume award winning book The Mexican Revolution (1986) - Eugene Rogan, historian
Former fellows
- Albert HouraniAlbert Hourani-Life and career:Hourani was born in Manchester, England, the son of Soumaya Rassi and Fadlo Issa Hourani, immigrants from Marjeyoun in what is now South Lebanon. His brothers were George Hourani and Cecil Hourani. His family had converted from Greek Orthodoxy...
, Founder-Director, Middle East Centre, St. Antony's College, Oxford - Sudipta KavirajSudipta KavirajSudipta Kaviraj is a scholar of South Asian Politics and Intellectual History, often associated with Postcolonial and Subaltern Studies...
, Professor of Political Sciences, Columbia UniversityColumbia UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, New York - Frank McLynnFrank McLynnFrancis James McLynn, FRHistS, FRGS — known as Frank McLynn — is a British author, biographer, historian and journalist. He is noted for critically acclaimed biographies of Napoleon Bonaparte, Robert Louis Stevenson, Carl Jung, Richard Francis Burton and Henry Morton Stanley.McLynn was educated at...
, historian and biographer - Tapan RaychaudhuriTapan RaychaudhuriTapan Raychaudhuri is an Indian historian specialising in British Indian history, Indian economic history and the History of Bengal.-Background:...
, Emeritus Fellow, St. Antony's College, Oxford - Abu Imam, Fellow from 1966-69, St. Antony's College, Oxford and Professor, and Head of the Department of Archaeology and History and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Jahangirnagar UniversityJahangirnagar UniversityJahangirnagar University is a public university of Bangladesh. It is the one and only residential university in the country.The university was established in 1970 by the government of Pakistan by the Jahangirnagar Muslim University Ordinance, 1970. During the first two years, it operated as a...
, Bangladesh.