Our termly Old Library Open Day happened on Friday 8th November (4th Week), from 12:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00.
This was a chance to see inside our historic Old Library, and to view this term’s exhibition: “Magdalen Controversies”. An exhibition of manuscripts, rare books and archival material relating to controversial figures and moments from Magdalen’s history, including Mary Magdalene, John Foxe, Henry Sacheverell, the expulsion of the fellows under James II, Hampden vs the Tractarians, Oscar Wilde, and the admission of women. A chance to visit our Old Library and see treasures such as one of the earliest surviving fragments of the New Testament, a medieval life of Mary Magdalene claiming that she lived in France, a lectionary made for Cardinal Wolsey months before his fall from grace, and a letter from Charles Darwin.
The open day was open to all Magdalen members and their guests. Non-Magdalen members could also attend if they RSVP to james.fishwick@magd.ox.ac.uk.
Entrance was via the Summer Common Room (Cloisters III).
Photos from the exhibition are available on our Facebook page here.
