Professor Simon Horobin
Simon Horobin is an author and etymologist, and Professor of English Language and Literature at Magdalen College, Oxford. His research interests are in the history of the English language, especially in the medieval period. He has published works on Chaucer’s language, on spelling, and on the history of English as a global language. His most recent book, C.S. Lewis’s Oxford, draws on Lewis’s letters, manuscripts and marginal annotations to explore the influence of Oxford, both as place and as an academic workplace, on Lewis’s work. Research for that book also led to this exhibition.
C.S. Lewis’s Oxford can be purchased via the Bodleian.
Dr Lucy Gwynn
Simon was supported in the curation of the exhibition by the College Librarian, Lucy Gwynn. With her job share, Anne Chesher, Lucy is responsible for the management of the libraries which are at the heart of the college’s academic life. They also oversee the curation of Magdalen’s exceptionally rich historic collections (its archives, manuscripts, and rare books), and facilitate and advocate for their use in research and public engagement.
George White
George was responsible for the transfer of the physical exhibition to an online format. George is the Senior Assistant Librarian at Magdalen. She handles book donations, oversees the libraries’ social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and X), and helps readers in the Longwall Library.
Acknowledgements:
The curators would like to thank the lenders for their generous contributions to this exhibition:
The Bodleian Libraries
The estate of Walter Hooper
Dr Gabriel Schenk
University College, Oxford
Dr Michael Ward
The curators would also like to thank those who have contributed to the success of the exhibition:
Magdalen College Academic Grants for financial support in 2024
Magdalen College Library and Archives staff, especially Jessica Woodward and George White
Oxford Conservation Consortium staff, especially Nikki Tomkins and Jess Hyslop
Holywell Press.
The exhibition team at the Bodleian Libraries, especially Craig McPhedran
Cath Hogan at the Story Museum, Oxford
Louis Papper, College Butler
John Nightingale and Rachel Mehtar for loans from Magdalen College Chattels
The Marian E Wade Center for permission to reproduce audio files
Image credits:
Copyright for all images belongs to Magdalen College, Oxford unless stated otherwise. These images should not be reproduced without our permission. Reasonable steps have been taken to identify copyright holders, although this is not always possible. If any issues relating to copyright arise, please contact us via library@magd.ox.ac.uk
Design & Editorial:
Website layout by MeThree.; edit and design by George White, Senior Assistant Librarian, Magdalen College.