Christ’s College Gate circa 1926/7 (Cambs Collection)

Christ’s College, Cambridge

History of Christ's College

General historical information about the college can be found on Wikipedia.

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1838

The Bathing Pool is in the Fellows’ garden. It dates from the mid 17th century and is thought to be the oldest outdoor pool in England. It was originally fed from Hobson’s Conduit built in the early 17th century. In 2010 it was renamed the Malcolm Bowie Bathing Pool.

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F A Reeve, The Cambridge Nobody Knows, (1977), writes about the ‘yale’, the mythical animal resembling antelopes with faces like goats. These animals are also on the gateway of St John’s college.

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New Court is a Building of Local Interest.

Chancellor Building was built in 1950 by Rattee and Kett and named in memory of Marshal Jan Smuts who was at one time Chancellor of the University.

A particular feature of the college is the Charles Darwin Sculpture Garden. A description can be found here:

https://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/grounds/darwin-garden

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1861

Following list of members and undergraduates of the college,

William Lofts, college servant, porter of college, b Cambridge

Emma, 31, b Cambridge

Ellen, 5, b Cambridge

William Hunt, 23, master’s butler, b Cambridge

Amelia Settle, 38, master’s cook, b York

Ann Conder, 19, master’s housemaid, b Barrington

Joseph Humm, 34, under porter of college,  b Suffolk

William Lofts was killed by a stone thrown in a riot in 1868.

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24 July 1908
A great deal of excitement was caused by a fire at Christ’s College. Bert Holder, a butcher, noticed smoke issuing from the scullery and engine room window in Christ’s Lane where the ceiling, which is of matchboarding, was well alight. Pc Fred Savidge and the head porter, Mr Chapman, fitted the college fire appliance to a hydrant and commenced to play on the flames, which were soon extinguished owing to the prompt action of the fire brigade and police force.
Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge CHRIST’S LANE Scrapbook, reference CWN 08 07 24.

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1918

Alfred Ponsford Baker, a graduate of Christ’s, published ‘A College Mystery’ a novel set at the college which told the story of the ghost of Christopher Round.  Although a work of fiction, many have believed it to be a true story.

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1930s – 1950s

This was the home of the 10th Cambridge Christ’s College Scouts