Bequeathed to ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ by our alumnus R. W. Seton-Watson (1879–1951), the Seton-Watson Collection at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, Oxford is rich in German materials of great interest to researchers, Austria-Hungary being a particular strength.  The collection contains a wide variety of both primary and secondary source materials, ranging across rare newspapers, books, and pamphlets.

Gyula Andrássy, Wer hat den Krieg verbrochen? (Leipzig: S. Hirzel, 1915)
²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library, Oxford, SWP45

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford

On Tuesday, 7 March 2023, New College’s Middle Common Room (MCR) celebrated the 60th anniversary of its establishment with an exhibition of significant items from the archives in the Conduit Room, a reception in the Founder’s Library, the distribution of appropriate stash (including some rather natty appropriately branded scarves), speeches from the Warden and the President Emily Jin, and dinner in Hall. The anniversary was worth celebrating because, as in so many areas, New College had rather led the way in recognising and providing for what is now a major and vital part of its community whose genesis is worth exploring.

Plan of the site between Longwall Street and the city wall that became the Sacher Building [detail]
²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Archives, Oxford, NCA BUR/BCF/205

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford

Recently I acquired for ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library’s collections a first edition copy of The Collector, the debut novel by ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ alumnus John Fowles (1926–2005), which sixty years ago in 1963 launched his spectacular career as a writer. First published in May 1963 by Jonathan Cape of London, the copy I acquired bears the iconic original dustjacket with a ³Ù°ù´Ç³¾±è±ð-±ô’œi±ô design by Tom Adams (1926–2019), who also created the artwork for paperback editions of Agatha Christie’s novels. Moreover, this particular copy was signed by Fowles.

John Fowles, The Collector (London: Jonathan Cape, 1963), dustjacket
²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library, Oxford, NC/FOW

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford

We have rich collections in New ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library on the Russo-Japanese War, thanks largely to two important 20th-century bequests: that of Mr David Mann (Modern History, 1956), and of diplomat Richard William Alan Onslow, Fifth Earl of Onslow (Modern History, 1895)

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library, Oxford, Mann248

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library holds first editions of four of Jane Austen’s novels. This very good fortune the library owes to two ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ men, born thirteen years apart: one still very renowned today, especially in Oxford circles; the other did not live long enough ever to be so. Both also have in common remarkable soldierships in the Second World War.

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library, Oxford, BT3.2.1

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ continued to pay wages of ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ servants on active service during the Great War. 

Mrs Louisa Cox received the regular wages of her husband George, who had worked as a bed-maker at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ since 1887 before enlisting for four years’ war service in 1914.

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Archives, Oxford