Gonville & Caius College

Beginnings

The College was founded in 1348 by Edmund Gonville, Rector of Terrington. In 1353 his executor, William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich, consolidated Gonville's foundation, providing endowments and statutes and establishing the College on its current site in Trinity Street. The original community of Gonville Hall, consisting of a Master, Fellows and a small number of other students, gradually acquired endowments to support itself, and buildings to house its work. The College's buildings, including a chapel, a hall and a library ,as well as accommodation for members of the College, reflected its functions as a place for a common life of study and prayer.

Expansion

After a period of some decline, the College was refounded and extended in 1557 by former student and Fellow, Dr John Caius. Dr Caius had been living in Padua in Italy, where he studied and practiced medicine. Whilst in Italy, he Latinised the spelling of his original surname Keys, to Caius, although it has always been pronounced "keys". His most visible legacy to the College remains the very beautiful Caius Court and the College's three famous gates - of "Humility", "Virtue" and "Honour".

By 1630 Gonville & Caius College had expanded considerably, having about 25 fellows and 150 students, but during the unsettled times that followed, numbers declined and did not recover their 1630 level until 1840, after which expansion was rapid. A larger Hall and a new Library were built in 1853-4. Major new residential buildings were built in 1868-70, 1901-4, 1934 and 1962. Between 1860 and 1926, the College's endowments and statutes were reformed as a result of government appointed University Commissions; while teaching and research became more specialised, professional pursuits. In 1979, the College admitted women to its fellowship and student body for the first time.

Presented here are three perspectives on the history of Caius:

• Derek Ingram, History of the College (April 1995; revised 2001) - a general introduction to some of the most important events and people in the history of Caius

• Christopher Brooke, Four Moments in the History of Caius (2000, revised 2001) - a more detailed look at four key periods in the history of the College

• Nigel Balchin and Peter Davy, The Legend of the Austin 7 (1996) - an account of one of the more humorous episodes in the College history - the project to place a car on the roof of the University Senate House.

Further information about a number of famous Caians can be found here.

Enquiries regarding aspects of College History can be directed to the College Archivist

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