History Exeter College, Oxford

exeter college s broad street frontage

still situated in original location in turl street, exeter college founded in 1314 walter de stapledon of devon, bishop of exeter , later treasurer edward ii, school educate clergy. during first century, known stapeldon hall , smaller, twelve fourteen students. college grew 15th century onward, , began offering rooms students. college motto floreat exon. , meaning let exeter flourish .

in 16th century, donations sir william petre, assumed exeter graduate, daughter dorothy wadham (1534-1618) co-founder nicholas wadham (1531-1609) of wadham college, created 8 petrean fellowships, , further contributions son john petre, 1st baron petre (1549-1613) helped expand , transform college.

sir john acland (died 1620), devonshire gentleman, donated £800, largely financed building of new dining hall, , established 2 scholarships poor students, first created @ college. in clever move bursar fill new buildings completed, significant number of noble roman catholic students invited enrol , take classes @ enlarged college; however, not allowed matriculate. result, on time, exeter college became 1 of leading colleges in university.

in 18th century college experienced declining popularity, did of oxford s other colleges. university reforms in 1850s helped end period of stagnation.

until 1979 college did not allow women students, in 1993 exeter college became first of former all-male colleges elect woman, marilyn butler, rector. when butler s tenure expired in october 2004, college elected woman – frances cairncross, former senior editor of economist – rector.

in 2014, author j. k. rowling elected honorary fellow of college.

adelphi wine club

formed in 1850s, adelphi wine club reputed 1 of oldest 3 wine clubs in oxford. club draws membership undergraduates studying @ exeter college. has been forcibly closed down college authorities several times throughout tumultuous existence , believed dormant. club renowned extravagant dinners, , excessive gambling after each meeting. 1 black ball sufficient exclude undergraduate membership. beginning in 1923, college forbade student holding exhibition or scholarship join club.

notable members include sir martin le quesne, , j.p.v.d. balsdon.