All Souls College, Research college in Oxford, England
All Souls College is a research-only college of the University of Oxford in England that admits only fellows and has no undergraduate students. The institution holds a library of around 185,000 volumes and provides workspace for scholars in the humanities and natural sciences.
Henry Chichele and King Henry VI founded the institution in 1438 after the end of the Hundred Years War between England and France. In 1979, Susan Hurley became the first woman admitted to the fellowship, ending more than five centuries of male-only membership.
Founded in 1438, the college still honors those who fell during the Hundred Years War and carries their memory in its name today. Each year, a commemorative day in November marks this connection, showing how the foundation remains linked to those historical events.
Access to the buildings is limited to the public as the institution serves solely as a workplace for fellows and has no regular teaching activity. Visitors can view the exterior and some of the courtyards from certain points, but should check current opening arrangements before planning a visit.
The college selects new fellows through a multi-day examination covering topics from history to literature, considered one of the most demanding academic selection processes in the world. The institution's financial endowment allows members to focus entirely on their research without having to fulfill teaching obligations.
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