Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Encyclopedia
Sidney Sussex College is a constituent college
of the University of Cambridge
in England.
The college was founded in 1596 and named after its foundress, Frances Sidney, Countess of Sussex. It was from its inception an avowedly Puritan
foundation: some good and godlie moniment for the mainteynance of good learninge. Oliver Cromwell
was among the first students (although his father became ill and he never graduated), and his head is now buried beneath the College's Ante-Chapel.
In the late nineteenth century, the College's finances received a further boost from the development of the resort of Cleethorpes on College land on the Lincolnshire coast that was purchased in 1616, following a bequest for the benefit of scholars and fellows by Peter Blundell
, a merchant from Tiverton, Devon. A new wing added in 1891, to the designs of John Loughborough Pearson
, is stylistically richer than the original buildings, and has stone staircases whereas the stairs in the older buildings were of timber. In the early twentieth century, a High Church group among the Fellows were instrumental in the rebuilding and enlargement of the chapel, which was provided with a richly carved interior in late seventeenth-century style, designed by T.H. Lyon, and somewhat at odds with the College's original Puritan ethos.
(placing 14th out of 29 in 2008). However, the college has traditionally excelled in certain subjects, notably Engineering, History and Law.
In the television show University Challenge
, Sidney Sussex had a winning team in both 1971 and 1978–79. The 1978 team, comprising John Gilmore, John Adams, David Lidington
, and Nick Graham, went on to win the "Champion of Champions" University Challenge Reunion competition in 2002.
The college claims to have the cheapest bar in Cambridge, which is one of the few student-run bars in the university, a source of much pride for Sidney students. Clare, Darwin, Downing and Emmanuel are the only other colleges with student-run bars. Recent price rises have put this position into doubt as the college authorities have been concerned with the level of cheap alcohol.
— lead guitar and percussion/keyboards respectively.
, the noted early historian Thomas Fuller
and the 17th century poet and dramatist Thomas May
.
Other notable politicians to have attended the college include Sir Basil Engholm
, the civil servant, and Lord Owen
, the former Foreign Secretary and leader of the Social Democratic Party
. Former students also include current MPs, Chris Grayling
, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions
, and David Lidington
, Minister for Europe at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Brian Lenihan
, the Minister of Finance in the Republic of Ireland is another notable alumnus.
The college's strong tradition in the sciences was certified by the Nobel-prize-winning physicists Cecil Frank Powell
and C. T. R. Wilson, and more recently by John E. Walker
(1997 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) and the New Zealand-born Alan MacDiarmid
(2002 Nobel prize in Chemistry). Sir Benjamin Lockspeiser, the first president of CERN
was also an undergraduate at the college and psychiatrist W. Ross Ashby gained a substantial amount of material for his landmark writings Design For A Brain and An Introduction To Cybernetics whilst in residence.
More recently, Paddy Lowe
, the director of the Formula One
team McLaren
was at Sidney Sussex, as was Carol Vorderman
, the popular television host, known primarily for her role on the game show Countdown
.
John Madden
, the Hollywood director, known for the Academy-award-winning Shakespeare In Love
and television series such as Inspector Morse
and Prime Suspect also studied at Sidney Sussex.
In 2010, American composer Eric Whitacre
was named Visiting Fellow and Composer-in-Residence.
Never short of comedians, Sidney can also count funnyman Alex Horne
among their recent alumni.
Colleges of the University of Cambridge
This is a list of the colleges within the University of Cambridge. These colleges are the primary source of accommodation for undergraduates and graduates at the University and at the undergraduate level have responsibility for admitting students and organising their tuition. They also provide...
of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in England.
The college was founded in 1596 and named after its foundress, Frances Sidney, Countess of Sussex. It was from its inception an avowedly Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
foundation: some good and godlie moniment for the mainteynance of good learninge. Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
was among the first students (although his father became ill and he never graduated), and his head is now buried beneath the College's Ante-Chapel.
History
While the College's geographic size has changed little since 1596, an additional range was added to the original E-shaped buildings in the early 17th century and the appearance of the whole college was changed significantly in the 1820s and 1830s, under the leadership of the Master at the time, William Chafy. By the early 19th century, the buildings' original red brick was unfashionable and the hall range was suffering serious structural problems. The opening up of coal mines on estates left to the College in the 18th century provided extra funds which were to be devoted to providing a new mathematical library and accommodation for Mathematical Exhibitioners. As a result, the exterior brick was covered with a layer of cement, the existing buildings were heightened slightly, and the architectural effect was also heightened, under the supervision of Sir Jeffry Wyatville.In the late nineteenth century, the College's finances received a further boost from the development of the resort of Cleethorpes on College land on the Lincolnshire coast that was purchased in 1616, following a bequest for the benefit of scholars and fellows by Peter Blundell
Peter Blundell
Peter Blundell was a prosperous clothier, trading between Tiverton and London. He died in April 1601, never having married and with no known issue. On his death, he left over £32,000 cash to fellow clothiers and their families, his employees, created several charitable trusts, and gave £2400 to...
, a merchant from Tiverton, Devon. A new wing added in 1891, to the designs of John Loughborough Pearson
John Loughborough Pearson
John Loughborough Pearson was a Gothic Revival architect renowned for his work on churches and cathedrals. Pearson revived and practised largely the art of vaulting, and acquired in it a proficiency unrivalled in his generation.-Early life and education:Pearson was born in Brussels, Belgium on 5...
, is stylistically richer than the original buildings, and has stone staircases whereas the stairs in the older buildings were of timber. In the early twentieth century, a High Church group among the Fellows were instrumental in the rebuilding and enlargement of the chapel, which was provided with a richly carved interior in late seventeenth-century style, designed by T.H. Lyon, and somewhat at odds with the College's original Puritan ethos.
Reputation
Sidney Sussex is recognised as one of the smaller, more classical Cambridge colleges. Its current student body consists of roughly 350 undergraduate students and 190 graduates. Academically speaking, Sidney Sussex has, of late, tended towards a mid-table position in the unofficial Tompkins TableTompkins Table
The Tompkins Table is an annual ranking that lists the Colleges of the University of Cambridge in order of their undergraduate students' performances in that year's examinations...
(placing 14th out of 29 in 2008). However, the college has traditionally excelled in certain subjects, notably Engineering, History and Law.
In the television show University Challenge
University Challenge
University Challenge is a British quiz programme that has aired since 1962. The format is based on the American show College Bowl, which ran on NBC radio from 1953 to 1957, and on NBC television from 1959 to 1970....
, Sidney Sussex had a winning team in both 1971 and 1978–79. The 1978 team, comprising John Gilmore, John Adams, David Lidington
David Lidington
David Roy Lidington PC is a British Conservative Party politician, who has been Member of Parliament for Aylesbury since 1992...
, and Nick Graham, went on to win the "Champion of Champions" University Challenge Reunion competition in 2002.
The college claims to have the cheapest bar in Cambridge, which is one of the few student-run bars in the university, a source of much pride for Sidney students. Clare, Darwin, Downing and Emmanuel are the only other colleges with student-run bars. Recent price rises have put this position into doubt as the college authorities have been concerned with the level of cheap alcohol.
Activities
Sidney's sporting performance is unexceptional, although it currently has a decent women's and mixed netball team and performs well at darts. The college is musically strong, its alumni including Al Doyle (1998) and Felix Martin (1999) of the electronic band, Hot ChipHot Chip
Hot Chip are an English electronic indie band. They have released four studio albums—Coming on Strong, The Warning, Made in the Dark and One Life Stand.-Formation:...
— lead guitar and percussion/keyboards respectively.
Confraternitas Historica
The Confraternitas Historica, or Confraternitas Historica Dominae Franciscae Comitis Sussexiae, is the history society of Sidney Sussex College and is reputed to be the longest-running student history society in Cambridge University, having existed since 1910. In fact, no meetings were held from 1914 to 1919 but since, during the First World War, "the University itself almost ceased to function ... the hiatus of 1914-19 is not counted as a break in the continuity of the society". The Latin name of the society reflects the tastes of Jack Reynolds, the High Church Fellow who presided over its creation, who also "endowed the Society with an elaborate Latin initiation ceremony".Notable alumni
Former members of the college include the political and military leader Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
, the noted early historian Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller was an English churchman and historian. He is now remembered for his writings, particularly his Worthies of England, published after his death...
and the 17th century poet and dramatist Thomas May
Thomas May
Thomas May was an English poet, dramatist and historian of the Renaissance era.- Early life and career until 1630 :...
.
Other notable politicians to have attended the college include Sir Basil Engholm
Basil Engholm
Sir Basil Charles Engholm KCB was a senior British Civil Servant at the Ministry of Agriculture. On retirement he was heavily involved in raising money for the arts and was Chairman of the British Film Institute....
, the civil servant, and Lord Owen
David Owen
David Anthony Llewellyn Owen, Baron Owen CH PC FRCP is a British politician.Owen served as British Foreign Secretary from 1977 to 1979, the youngest person in over forty years to hold the post; he co-authored the failed Vance-Owen and Owen-Stoltenberg peace plans offered during the Bosnian War...
, the former Foreign Secretary and leader of the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (UK)
The Social Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom that was created on 26 March 1981 and existed until 1988. It was founded by four senior Labour Party 'moderates', dubbed the 'Gang of Four': Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams...
. Former students also include current MPs, Chris Grayling
Chris Grayling
Christopher Stephen "Chris" Grayling, PC, MP , is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Shadow Cabinet from 2005 to 2010 and was the party's Shadow Home Secretary from 2009 to 2010. Following the 2010 general election, he was appointed a Minister of State in the...
, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions
Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions is the largest government department in the United Kingdom, created on June 8, 2001 from the merger of the employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security and headed by the Secretary of State for Work and...
, and David Lidington
David Lidington
David Roy Lidington PC is a British Conservative Party politician, who has been Member of Parliament for Aylesbury since 1992...
, Minister for Europe at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Brian Lenihan
Brian Lenihan
Brian Patrick Lenihan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who served in a range of cabinet positions, most notably as Tánaiste , Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Justice....
, the Minister of Finance in the Republic of Ireland is another notable alumnus.
Cecil Frank Powell
Cecil Frank Powell, FRS was a British physicist, and Nobel Prize in Physics laureate for his development of the photographic method of studying nuclear processes and for the resulting discovery of the pion , a heavy subatomic particle.Powell was born in Tonbridge, Kent, England, the son of a local...
and C. T. R. Wilson, and more recently by John E. Walker
John E. Walker
Professor Sir John Ernest Walker is an English chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1997. He is currently the director of the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit in Cambridge, and a Fellow of Sidney Sussex College.He was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, the son of Thomas Ernest Walker, a...
(1997 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) and the New Zealand-born Alan MacDiarmid
Alan MacDiarmid
Alan Graham MacDiarmid ONZ was a chemist, and one of three recipients of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2000.-Early life:He was born in Masterton, New Zealand as one of five children - three brothers and two sisters...
(2002 Nobel prize in Chemistry). Sir Benjamin Lockspeiser, the first president of CERN
CERN
The European Organization for Nuclear Research , known as CERN , is an international organization whose purpose is to operate the world's largest particle physics laboratory, which is situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco–Swiss border...
was also an undergraduate at the college and psychiatrist W. Ross Ashby gained a substantial amount of material for his landmark writings Design For A Brain and An Introduction To Cybernetics whilst in residence.
More recently, Paddy Lowe
Paddy Lowe
Paddy Lowe is the Technical Director of the McLaren Formula One racing team.-Career:Lowe graduated from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University in 1984 with a degree in engineering. In 1987 he was employed by Williams F1 as Joint Head of Electronics...
, the director of the Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team McLaren
McLaren
McLaren Racing Limited, trading as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, is a British Formula One team based in Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom. McLaren is best known as a Formula One constructor but has also competed and won in the Indianapolis 500 and Canadian-American Challenge Cup...
was at Sidney Sussex, as was Carol Vorderman
Carol Vorderman
Carol Jean Vorderman MBE is a British media personality, best known for co-hosting the popular game show Countdown for 26 years from 1982 to 2008. In September 2011 she became a co-anchor of the ITV1 panel show Loose Women....
, the popular television host, known primarily for her role on the game show Countdown
Countdown (game show)
Countdown is a British game show involving word and number puzzles. It is produced by ITV Studios and broadcast on Channel 4. It is presented by Jeff Stelling, assisted by Rachel Riley, with regular lexicographer Susie Dent. It was the first programme to be aired on Channel 4, and over sixty-five...
.
John Madden
John Madden (director)
John Philip Madden is an English director of theatre, film, television, and radio.- Biography :Madden was educated at Clifton College. He was in the same house as friend and fellow director Roger Michell. He began his career in British independent films, and graduated from the University of...
, the Hollywood director, known for the Academy-award-winning Shakespeare In Love
Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 British-American comedy film directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman and playwright Tom Stoppard....
and television series such as Inspector Morse
Inspector Morse (TV series)
Inspector Morse is a detective drama based on Colin Dexter's series of Chief Inspector Morse novels. The series starred John Thaw as Chief Inspector Morse and Kevin Whately as Sergeant Lewis. Dexter makes a cameo appearance in all but three of the episodes....
and Prime Suspect also studied at Sidney Sussex.
In 2010, American composer Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre is an American composer, conductor and lecturer. He is one of the most popular and performed composers of his generation. In 2008, the all-Whitacre choral CD Cloudburst became an international best-seller, topping the classical charts and earning a Grammy nomination...
was named Visiting Fellow and Composer-in-Residence.
Never short of comedians, Sidney can also count funnyman Alex Horne
Alex Horne
Alex Horne is a British comedian.He was educated at Lancing College and the University of Cambridge, where he was a member of Footlights.-Career:...
among their recent alumni.
See also
- :Category:Alumni of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
- :Category:Fellows of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
- List of Masters of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
- Sidney Sussex College Boat ClubSidney Sussex College Boat ClubSidney Sussex College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in England. Founded in 1837, the club has spent most of its time in the 2nd division of the Lent and May Bumps, with brief times spent in the 1st division...