Green Templeton College, Oxford
Encyclopedia
Green Templeton College is a constituent college
of the University of Oxford
in the United Kingdom
. It is the university's newest college having come into existence on 1 October 2008 from the merger of Green College
and Templeton College
. The college is located on the previous Green College site on Woodstock Road in North Oxford
and is centred around the architecturally splendid Radcliffe Observatory
, an 18th century building, which is modelled after the ancient Tower of the Winds
in Athens.
Though set within the traditional, grand buildings of Oxford, Green Templeton's friendly and informal atmosphere makes it more of a contemporary college. As an all-postgraduate college, Green Templeton has a single common room for its students and Fellows, to encourage their interaction.
The merger between Green College and Templeton College was the first in the University's modern history. After being approved by the University Council and the Governing Bodies of both colleges, it was formally announced in July 2007. Green Templeton College (GTC) was officially opened on 1 October 2008.
Building on the already established strengths of the Green and Templeton Colleges, GTC focuses on a variety of subjects, especially those in the medical and life sciences, the management sciences, and a range of social sciences.
and his wife Dr Ida Green. Dr Green was a founder of Texas Instruments
. Green College, Oxford was one of two colleges established due to his generosity, the other being Green College, University of British Columbia
.
Green College was dedicated to human welfare in contemporary society. This was interpreted as an academic focus on medicine
. Related disciplines, such as education
, the environment
and social sciences
, however, were also covered.
30% of the students studied in the field of medicine. About 20% were engaged in medical research on a post-graduate level. Social Work, environmental change and educational studies were other strongholds of the college.
Templeton College emphasised a commitment to life-long individual development. The College aimed to bring together leaders from various fields to explore key issues in management and related policy areas.
The College was based at Egrove Park in Kennington
village. Its buildings were opened in 1969, and were awarded listed status in 1999.
The shield contains two primary symbols: the Rod of Aesculapius
and the Nautilus
shell.
The Rod of Aesculapius was central to the Green College coat of arms. In Greek mythology, Aesculapius, the son of Apollo, was a medical practitioner. The serpent coiled around his staff symbolises the healing arts.
The Nautilus shell was chosen by Sir John Templeton, as symbolising evolution and renewal, and was adopted by Templeton College in 1984.
The new GTC coat of arms also features a crest containing a heraldic representation of the sun behind the astronomical symbol for Venus(♀), acknowledging the historic transit of Venus across the sun in 1761, the astronomical event which resulted in the creation of the Radcliffe Observatory.
The Observatory was built because of a lack of facilities in Britain to observe the cosmological event of the 1761 transit of Venus.
The astronomer Dr Thomas Hornsby
, who observed the transit of Venus across the sun in 1769, suggested the building of an Observatory. Building began in 1772 as planned by the architect Henry Keene
, and financed by the estate of Dr John Radcliffe (1652–1714).
However, Keene died in 1776, before the Observatory was completed. After his death, the Observatory was completed by James Wyatt
(1746–1813). Wyatt based his design on the Tower of the Winds
in Athens.
Atop the Observatory rests the Tower of Winds. Beneath the Tower are three levels, with rooms on each level. The ground floor is today used as the College dining room. The first floor was originally the library, but is now the College's student-fellow Common Room. The third floor is an octagonal observing room, which is now empty except for some of the original furniture.
The Observatory was a functioning observatory from 1773 until its owners, the Radcliffe Trustees, sold it in 1934 to Lord Nuffield, who then presented it to the Radcliffe Hospital. In 1936 Lord Nuffield established the Nuffield Institute for Medical Research there. In 1979 the Nuffield Institute relocated to the John Radcliffe Hospital, and the Observatory was taken over by Green College.
Furthermore, the University is also focused on redeveloping the adjoining old Radcliffe Infirmary site – to be known as the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
.
After Osler, 13 Norham Gardens was occupied by another Regius Professor, Sir George Pickering and after him, the Regius Professor Sir Richard Doll
, who was the last Regius Professor to live there.
13 Norham Gardens was then acquired by Green College.
The Centre has two functions:
Firstly, it follows in Sir Osler’s footsteps by uniting scholars, lecturers and academics. The Centre promotes the art and science of medicine through its workshops, conferences, visiting scholars and post-doctoral Fellows.
Secondly, 13 Norham Gardens is also home to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
(RISJ), established in 2006, and based at Green Templeton College.
Additionally, the "Grapevine", a weekly e-newsletter is sent out by the College GCR. The GTC Facebook group is also a quick and easy way to get information about lectures, bops and events happening around the college.
The College is also active in various sports, especially rowing. The College co-owns a boathouse on the Isis with state-of-the-art facilities and a sizeable fleet, and Green Templeton Boat Club
has been competing successfully since its establishment in 2008. Other sports at the College include badminton, basketball, cricket, football, golf, netball, rugby, running, squash and tennis. The College also has on-site tennis and squash courts.
The College has its own bar, known as the "Stables Bar", which is open for drinks in the evenings, and a general place to watch television during the day.
Green Templeton also provides laundry facilities, a lecture theatre, a computer room. There are two libraries on-campus: a Management Library and a Medical/Social Science Library.
Green Templeton is actively involved in charity work. The College charities supports a local and an overseas charity every year. Both the GCR and the College Charity Committee organise numerous events throughout the year, both at GTC and in Oxford.
Osler House is the University's club for medical students. It is open to students and fellows involved in research in a range of topics related to human health and welfare. GTC's strong ties with the clinical medicine community are fostered through its affiliation with Osler House. The friendly and comfortable ambience of Osler House is focused around a games room which has pool and table football facilities. There is also a bar, lunch, tea and coffee, and television facilities.
, author
Dame Valerie Beral, epidemiologist
Colin Bundy
, First Principal of Green Templeton College
Rory Collins
, epidemiologist
E. David Cook
, theologian
Sarah Darby
, epidemiologist
Sir Richard Doll
, epidemiologist, first Warden of Green College
Michael Earl
, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford
Sanjaya Lall
, economist
Peter Friend, surgeon
Jason Galanis
, banker
Derrick Gosselin
, engineer and economist
Dr Cecil Green
, founder of Texas Instruments
, founder of Green College
John Lennox
, mathematician
Sir Richard Peto
, epidemiologist
Stein Ringen
, sociologist
Rosemary Stewart
, business theorist
Sir Crispin Tickell
, diplomat and environmentalist, third Warden of Green College
Michael von Clemm
, businessman, restaurateur, anthropologist, former President of Templeton College
Lord Walton of Detchant, politician, second Warden of Green College
Steve Woolgar
, sociologist
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 the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is the university's newest college having come into existence on 1 October 2008 from the merger of Green College
Green College, Oxford
Green College was a graduate college of the University of Oxford in England. It was centred around an architecturally appealing 18th century building: the Radcliffe Observatory, which is modelled after the ancient "Tower of the Winds" in Athens....
and Templeton College
Templeton College, Oxford
Templeton College was one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, England. It was an all-graduate college, concentrating on the recruitment of students in business and management studies....
. The college is located on the previous Green College site on Woodstock Road 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....
and is centred around the architecturally splendid Radcliffe Observatory
Radcliffe Observatory
Radcliffe Observatory was the astronomical observatory of Oxford University from 1773 until 1934, when the Radcliffe Trustees sold it and erected a new observatory in Pretoria, South Africa. It is a grade I listed building.- History :...
, an 18th century building, which is modelled after the ancient Tower of the Winds
Tower of the Winds
The Tower of the Winds, also called horologion , is an octagonal Pentelic marble clocktower on the Roman agora in Athens. The structure features a combination of sundials, a water clock and a wind vane...
in Athens.
About Green Templeton College
Green Templeton was formed by the merging of Oxford's Green and Templeton Colleges.Though set within the traditional, grand buildings of Oxford, Green Templeton's friendly and informal atmosphere makes it more of a contemporary college. As an all-postgraduate college, Green Templeton has a single common room for its students and Fellows, to encourage their interaction.
The merger between Green College and Templeton College was the first in the University's modern history. After being approved by the University Council and the Governing Bodies of both colleges, it was formally announced in July 2007. Green Templeton College (GTC) was officially opened on 1 October 2008.
Building on the already established strengths of the Green and Templeton Colleges, GTC focuses on a variety of subjects, especially those in the medical and life sciences, the management sciences, and a range of social sciences.
History
Though by Oxford standards both Green College and Templeton College were relatively young colleges, they each had their own individual history and established culture. Neither College was formed as a 'traditional' Oxford college.History of Green College
Established in 1979, Green College was one of the youngest colleges of the university, and was named after its main benefactors: Dr Cecil H. GreenCecil Howard Green
Cecil Howard Green was a British-born American geophysicist who trained at the University of British Columbia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology....
and his wife Dr Ida Green. Dr Green was a founder of Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
. Green College, Oxford was one of two colleges established due to his generosity, the other being Green College, University of British Columbia
Green College, University of British Columbia
Green College is a centre for interdisciplinary scholarship and a community of scholars at the University of British Columbia founded by Cecil Howard Green and Ida Green....
.
Green College was dedicated to human welfare in contemporary society. This was interpreted as an academic focus on medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
. Related disciplines, such as education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, the environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
and social sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
, however, were also covered.
30% of the students studied in the field of medicine. About 20% were engaged in medical research on a post-graduate level. Social Work, environmental change and educational studies were other strongholds of the college.
History of Templeton College
Templeton College was founded when the late Sir John Templeton gave an endowment to the Oxford Centre for Management Studies to raise professional standards in British management. The endowment was one of the largest endowments ever made to a British educational establishment, and the Centre was renamed Templeton College after him.Templeton College emphasised a commitment to life-long individual development. The College aimed to bring together leaders from various fields to explore key issues in management and related policy areas.
The College was based at Egrove Park in Kennington
Kennington
Kennington is a district of South London, England, mainly within the London Borough of Lambeth, although part of the area is within the London Borough of Southwark....
village. Its buildings were opened in 1969, and were awarded listed status in 1999.
GTC Coat of Arms
The GTC coat of arms marries elements of both Green and Templeton's former coats of arms, capturing the spirit of each of College's history and character.The shield contains two primary symbols: the Rod of Aesculapius
Rod of Asclepius
The rod of Asclepius , also known as the asklepian, is an ancient symbol associated with astrology, the Greek god Asclepius, and with medicine and healing. It consists of a serpent entwined around a staff. The name of the symbol derives from its early and widespread association with Asclepius, the...
and the Nautilus
Nautilus
Nautilus is the common name of marine creatures of cephalopod family Nautilidae, the sole extant family of the superfamily Nautilaceae and of its smaller but near equal suborder, Nautilina. It comprises six living species in two genera, the type of which is the genus Nautilus...
shell.
The Rod of Aesculapius was central to the Green College coat of arms. In Greek mythology, Aesculapius, the son of Apollo, was a medical practitioner. The serpent coiled around his staff symbolises the healing arts.
The Nautilus shell was chosen by Sir John Templeton, as symbolising evolution and renewal, and was adopted by Templeton College in 1984.
The new GTC coat of arms also features a crest containing a heraldic representation of the sun behind the astronomical symbol for Venus(♀), acknowledging the historic transit of Venus across the sun in 1761, the astronomical event which resulted in the creation of the Radcliffe Observatory.
The Radcliffe Observatory
Situated at the heart of the College campus, and emblematic of GTC, the Radcliffe Observatory is Green Templeton College's best-known building.The Observatory was built because of a lack of facilities in Britain to observe the cosmological event of the 1761 transit of Venus.
The astronomer Dr Thomas Hornsby
Thomas Hornsby
Thomas Hornsby FRS was a British astronomer and mathematician.Hornsby became a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 1760....
, who observed the transit of Venus across the sun in 1769, suggested the building of an Observatory. Building began in 1772 as planned by the architect Henry Keene
Henry Keene
Henry Keene was an English architect, notable for designing buildings in the Gothic Revival and Neoclassical style.- Life and work :...
, and financed by the estate of Dr John Radcliffe (1652–1714).
However, Keene died in 1776, before the Observatory was completed. After his death, the Observatory was completed by James Wyatt
James Wyatt
James Wyatt RA , was an English architect, a rival of Robert Adam in the neoclassical style, who far outdid Adam in his work in the neo-Gothic style.-Early classical career:...
(1746–1813). Wyatt based his design on the Tower of the Winds
Tower of the Winds
The Tower of the Winds, also called horologion , is an octagonal Pentelic marble clocktower on the Roman agora in Athens. The structure features a combination of sundials, a water clock and a wind vane...
in Athens.
Atop the Observatory rests the Tower of Winds. Beneath the Tower are three levels, with rooms on each level. The ground floor is today used as the College dining room. The first floor was originally the library, but is now the College's student-fellow Common Room. The third floor is an octagonal observing room, which is now empty except for some of the original furniture.
The Observatory was a functioning observatory from 1773 until its owners, the Radcliffe Trustees, sold it in 1934 to Lord Nuffield, who then presented it to the Radcliffe Hospital. In 1936 Lord Nuffield established the Nuffield Institute for Medical Research there. In 1979 the Nuffield Institute relocated to the John Radcliffe Hospital, and the Observatory was taken over by Green College.
Future Developments
In the next phase of development, the area to the North-East of the College is to be developed, allowing for the extension of the College's academic departments and residential accommodation.Furthermore, the University is also focused on redeveloping the adjoining old Radcliffe Infirmary site – to be known as the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
The Radcliffe Observatory Quarter is a major University of Oxford development project in Oxford, England, in the estate of the old Radcliffe Infirmary hospital.The site, covering 10 acres is in central north Oxford...
.
The Norham Gardens Site
A short walk from the main Green Templeton buildings, 13 Norham Gardens is a part of GTC.History
In 1905 Sir William Osler was appointed to the Regius Professorship of Medicine at Oxford. In 1907, Sir Osler acquired 13 Norham Gardens, one of the finest houses in Oxford at the time. During the fourteen years of his Regius Professorship, Osler made Norham Gardens a meeting place for academics from all over the world. It became a favourite of medical students, physicians, and scientists, even receiving the label of 'The Open Arms' for the warmth it exuded.After Osler, 13 Norham Gardens was occupied by another Regius Professor, Sir George Pickering and after him, the Regius Professor Sir Richard Doll
Richard Doll
Sir William Richard Shaboe Doll CH OBE FRS was a British physiologist who became the foremost epidemiologist of the 20th century, turning the subject into a rigorous science. He was a pioneer in research linking smoking to health problems...
, who was the last Regius Professor to live there.
13 Norham Gardens was then acquired by Green College.
Today
Today, Norham Gardens houses the Osler-McGovern Centre.The Centre has two functions:
Firstly, it follows in Sir Osler’s footsteps by uniting scholars, lecturers and academics. The Centre promotes the art and science of medicine through its workshops, conferences, visiting scholars and post-doctoral Fellows.
Secondly, 13 Norham Gardens is also home to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism was founded in the Department of Politics and International Relations at University of Oxford in 2006 to conduct scholarly and professional research on news media and operate the Thomson Reuters Fellowship Programme and host academic research fellows...
(RISJ), established in 2006, and based at Green Templeton College.
College Communications and Publications
The College publishes a newsletter every term, called "In Transit", as well as an annual GTC Alumni magazine.Additionally, the "Grapevine", a weekly e-newsletter is sent out by the College GCR. The GTC Facebook group is also a quick and easy way to get information about lectures, bops and events happening around the college.
College Life
Green Templeton offers a wide variety of activities to its students. The various GTC clubs and societies include the Boat Club, the Book Club, Choir, Golf Society, LGBT Society, Medical Anthropology Society, Music Society, Richard Doll Society, and the Music Society. College events include the annual college Garden Party, the Summer Ball, the Human Welfare Conference, "Welfare and Wine", formals, and themed "bops", held throughout the year. Lecture series are routinely held for those interested, including the Green Templeton Lectures and those held by the Reuter's Institute.The College is also active in various sports, especially rowing. The College co-owns a boathouse on the Isis with state-of-the-art facilities and a sizeable fleet, and Green Templeton Boat Club
Green Templeton Boat Club
Green Templeton Boat Club is a rowing club for members of Green Templeton College, Oxford. It is based in the Longbridges boathouse on the Isis, which is co-owned by the college and shared with Hertford, St Hilda's, St Catz, Mansfield and St Benet's...
has been competing successfully since its establishment in 2008. Other sports at the College include badminton, basketball, cricket, football, golf, netball, rugby, running, squash and tennis. The College also has on-site tennis and squash courts.
The College has its own bar, known as the "Stables Bar", which is open for drinks in the evenings, and a general place to watch television during the day.
Green Templeton also provides laundry facilities, a lecture theatre, a computer room. There are two libraries on-campus: a Management Library and a Medical/Social Science Library.
Green Templeton is actively involved in charity work. The College charities supports a local and an overseas charity every year. Both the GCR and the College Charity Committee organise numerous events throughout the year, both at GTC and in Oxford.
Osler House is the University's club for medical students. It is open to students and fellows involved in research in a range of topics related to human health and welfare. GTC's strong ties with the clinical medicine community are fostered through its affiliation with Osler House. The friendly and comfortable ambience of Osler House is focused around a games room which has pool and table football facilities. There is also a bar, lunch, tea and coffee, and television facilities.
GCR
The Graduate Common Room Committee offers a range of activities and events, including four Bops a term, free Sunday brunches as well as exchange and welfare dinners amongst many other things. Elections are held in Michaelmas Term and the Committee meets every two weeks. GCR-members also represent the student body's interest on various College Committees, including the Governing Body.People Associated with Green Templeton College
Kunal BasuKunal Basu
Kunal Basu is an Indian author of English fiction who has written three novels – The Opium Clerk , The Miniaturist , and Racists...
, author
Dame Valerie Beral, epidemiologist
Colin Bundy
Colin Bundy
Professor Colin James Bundy is a South African historian and former Principal of Green Templeton College, Oxford.Professor Bundy was an influential member of a generation of historians who substantially revised understanding of South African history...
, First Principal of Green Templeton College
Rory Collins
Rory Collins
Sir Rory Edwards Collins is Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the Clinical Trial Service Unit within the University of Oxford. His work has been in the establishment of large-scale epidemiological studies of the causes, prevention and treatment of heart attacks, other vascular disease, and...
, epidemiologist
E. David Cook
E. David Cook
Dr. E. David Cook is a Fellow of Green College, Oxford and the first Holmes Professor of Faith and Learning at Wheaton College. He is also a visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and is a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum...
, theologian
Sarah Darby
Sarah Darby
Professor Sarah Darby is a British epidemiologist. In recent years, her research has concerned evaluating the beneficial effects of giving up smoking, the risk of lung cancer from residential radon and treatments for early breast cancer....
, epidemiologist
Sir Richard Doll
Richard Doll
Sir William Richard Shaboe Doll CH OBE FRS was a British physiologist who became the foremost epidemiologist of the 20th century, turning the subject into a rigorous science. He was a pioneer in research linking smoking to health problems...
, epidemiologist, first Warden of Green College
Michael Earl
Michael Earl (academic)
Michael John Earl is Dean of Templeton College, Oxford and Professor of Information Management in the University of Oxford.Earl was educated at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and the University of Warwick . He is also a Master of Arts of the University of Oxford.From 1974 until 1976 he was...
, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford
Sanjaya Lall
Sanjaya Lall
Sanjaya Lall was a development economist, Professor of Economics and Fellow of Green College, Oxford University...
, economist
Peter Friend, surgeon
Jason Galanis
Jason Galanis
Jason Woodruff GalanisJason Woodruff Galanis is an American financier focused on structured finance in distressed debt and venture capital investments-Investment History:...
, banker
Derrick Gosselin
Derrick Gosselin
Derrick Philippe Boduin Gosselin is a Flemish - Belgian engineer and economist. Currently Head of Cabinet of the Minister President of the Flemish Government. He is a specialist in energy and in international strategy and marketing....
, engineer and economist
Dr Cecil Green
Cecil Howard Green
Cecil Howard Green was a British-born American geophysicist who trained at the University of British Columbia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology....
, founder of Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
, founder of Green College
John Lennox
John Lennox
John Carson Lennox is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, Fellow in Mathematics, Philosophy of Science and Pastoral Advisor at Green Templeton College of Oxford University...
, mathematician
Sir Richard Peto
Richard Peto
Sir Richard Peto FRS is Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at the University of Oxford.He attended Taunton's School in Southampton and subsequently studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University....
, epidemiologist
Stein Ringen
Stein Ringen
Stein Ringen is a Norwegian sociologist and political scientist. He is Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow of Green Templeton College, Oxford . Ringen holds a magister degree in political science from the University of Oslo and a dr...
, sociologist
Rosemary Stewart
Rosemary Stewart (business theorist)
Rosemary Stewart is widely known for her extensive writings on managerial work and behaviour. Her career has been in management research and teaching, combined with managing for seven years...
, business theorist
Sir Crispin Tickell
Crispin Tickell
Sir Crispin Tickell, GCMG, KCVO, MA , DSc , FRSGS , FRIBA , FZS, FRI , FCIWEM is a British diplomat, environmentalist, and academic.-Background:...
, diplomat and environmentalist, third Warden of Green College
Michael von Clemm
Michael von Clemm
Dr Michael von Clemm was an American businessman, restaurateur, anthropologist and President of Templeton College, Oxford. Although in one interpretation of his life, he was merely a high-flying banker, he could also have been said to have helped start the restaurant revolution in the UK of the...
, businessman, restaurateur, anthropologist, former President of Templeton College
Lord Walton of Detchant, politician, second Warden of Green College
Steve Woolgar
Steve Woolgar
Stephen Woolgar is a British sociologist. He has worked closely with Bruno Latour, with whom he co-authored Laboratory Life: the Social Construction of Scientific Facts ....
, sociologist
- Alumni of Green Templeton College
- Fellows of Green Templeton College