|CORPUS--as this College is universally known among Oxford men--was
founded in 1516, during the days of the "new learning," by Richard Foxe,
Bishop of Winchester. Zealous for education, he took care that Greek as
well as Latin should be taught to his scholars, appointing two
"Readers" in those tongues, whose lectures were to be open to the
whole University. When, therefore, in 1853 Corpus endowed the new Latin
Professorship, it was acting in the spirit of its Founder. That spirit,
indeed, has animated the College throughout its history, for hard
work (by no means divorced from athletic excellence) is traditional at
Corpus. Bishop Foxes plate and crozier are still among the treasures of
his Foundation.
The first illustration shews the exterior of the College. Above the
gateway a curious piece of sculpture represents "Angels bearing the
Host," or Corpus Christi, in a monstrance; on either side is a shield,
the one engraved with Foxe's arms, the other with those of his see.
The second picture gives the interior of the Front Quadrangle. It is
perhaps not too fanciful to suggest that the solidity and simplicity
of the architecture are in keeping with the characteristics which
experience has taught us to look for in Corpus men. A touch of variety
is given by the ancient cylindrical dial, constructed in 1581 by Sir
Charles Turnbull, a Fellow. It is surmounted by the effigy of a pelican,
a bird dear to Corpus. Another stone pelican, by the way, broods over
the Library roof at Wadham.
[Illustration: 0205]
[Illustration: 0206]
Jewel and Hooker among theologians, and Stowell and Tenterden among
lawyers, belonged to Bishop Foxes College. Here, too, was trained
Oglethorpe, philanthropist and founder of Georgia, whom Pope chose as a
type of "strong benevolence of soul" and J ohnson loved to honour; and
here were passed in close friendship the undergraduate days of Arnold
and Keble, who, though later estranged by differences of opinion on
religious questions, still retained their old personal regard.