An Oxford University Chest is a book about 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...

, written by the poet Sir John Betjeman

John Betjeman

Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...

 and first published by John Miles in London in 1938. The full title is An Oxford University Chest. Comprising a Description of the Present State of the Town and University of Oxford with an itinerary arranged alphabetically.

The book includes photographs by László Moholy-Nagy

László Moholy-Nagy

László Moholy-Nagy was a Hungarian painter and photographer as well as professor in the Bauhaus school. He was highly influenced by constructivism and a strong advocate of the integration of technology and industry into the arts.-Early life:...

 and illustrations by Osbert Lancaster

Osbert Lancaster

Sir Osbert Lancaster, CBE was an English cartoonist, author, art critic and stage designer, best known to the public at large for his cartoons published in the Daily Express.-Biography:Lancaster was born in London, England...

 and by Edward Bradley

Edward Bradley (writer)

Edward Bradley was an English novelist and clergyman. He was born in Kidderminster and educated at Durham University . He wrote under the name of Cuthbert M. Bede, B.A. a few novels and tales, Fairy Fables , Glencraggan , Fotheringhay , etc...

, the latter reproduced from the Victorian

Victorian era

The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...

 novel The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green

The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green

The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green is a novel by Cuthbert M. Bede, a pseudonym of Edward Bradley . It covers the exploits of Mr Verdant Green as an undergraduate freshman at Oxford University. Different editions have varying titles, including Mr Verdant Green: Adventures of an Oxford Freshman...

.

The title is a pun on the University Chest

University Chest

The University Chest is a term used at the University of Oxford in connection with the financial aspects of the university and its administration. There has traditionally been an actual chest, an iron box that can be locked and used for storage...

, the financial treasury of the university. The book provides glimpses into the life and characteristics of the university.

A paperback edition was issued by Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...

in 1979.