Playground of politics
Writing a brief history of the Oxford Union Society
Bodleian Library Trainees Project Showcase
To visit the library or Union see: http://www.oxford-union.org/library/murals
For more information on the trainees see: http://oxfordtrainees.wordpress.com/
And for more information on the Union traineeship: http://cateatous.wordpress.com/
2. The Oxford Union Society Founded in 1823 as the Union Debating Society Broader base for debate and reading than the University or colleges then allowed Independent from the University
3. The debates To debate “the historical previous to the to the present century and the philosophical exclusive to religion”. Avoided current of controversial topics First debate: “Was the revolution under Cromwell to be attributed to the tyrannical conduct of Charles, or to the democratic spirit of the times?” Good test of nerve, oratory, powers of persuasion, wit and panache
4. Met in students’ rooms Rented rooms on the High Street Acquired own site in 1853 between St. Michael Street and Frewin Court and built the first debating chamber Current Debating Chamber built in 1878 The buildings
5. “ A special place in the history of the nation” Five prime ministers Party leaders Cabinet members Commonwealth leaders Diplomats Religious figures Literary and theatrical figures Broadcasting and media figures
6. What? 16-page booklet Then and now Brief and engaging The Union and its buildings To be sold to visitors to the Union
7. Why? Complement and add to current murals booklet Raise profile More on history of buildings Income has one!
