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Wadham College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, wealthy Somerset landowners, during the reign of King James I.

Although it is one of the youngest of the historic colleges, Wadham has some of the oldest and best preserved buildings, a result of the rash of rebuilding that occurred throughout Oxford during the 17th century. Wadham's front quad, which served as almost the entire college until the mid-20th century, is the first example of the "Jacobean Gothic" style that was imitated at University and Oriel Colleges. A dramatic expansion since 1952 has made use of a range of 17th and 18th century houses, a converted warehouse originally built to store bibles, and several modern buildings. It also includes the Holywell Music Room, the oldest such building in Europe. Wadham also has a second claim to fame: it is thought that the college's chapel was the first religious building in England to regain its stained glass and statuary following the reformation.

Under the original statutes, women were forbidden from entering the college, with the exception of a laundress who was to be of 'such age, condition, and reputation as to be above suspicion.' These rules were relaxed over the years, and in 1974 they were altered to allow for the admission of women as full members of college at all levels. In fact, Wadham was the first historically all-male college to have a female student.

Perhaps related to this fact, the Wadham student body has for the last four decades been a hotbed of student activism. Most notably, the students' union was highly involved in campaigning against apartheid. In 1984 the students' union passed a motion to end every college "bop" (disco) with Special AKA 's single 'Free Nelson Mandela.' The tradition continues despite his release.

1 Famous Former Students

• Charles BadhamCharles Badham ( July 19, 1813 February 26, 1884), was an English scholar, born at Ludlow, Shropshire. His father was regius professor of physic at Glasgow; his mother was a cousin of Thomas Campbell, the poet. As a child, Badham was sent to Switzerland t, classics scholar
• Samuel Augustus BarnettSamuel Augustus Barnett ( February 8, 1844 1913) was an English clergyman and social reformer particularly associated with the establishment of the first university settlement, Toynbee Hall in east London in 1884. He was born in Bristol, the son of Franci, social reformer
• Robert Blake1599 1657 by Henry Perronet Briggs, painted 1829. Robert Blake ( 1599 August 17, 1657) was one the most important military commanders of the Commonwealth of England, and the most famous English Admiral until eclipsed by Horatio Nelson. Blake was one of th, Cromwell's admiral
• Richard BentleyRichard Bentley ( January 27, 1662 July 14, 1742) was an English scholar and critic. Bentley was born at Oulton near Wakefield, Yorkshire. His grandfather had suffered for the Royalist cause following the English Civil War, leaving the family in reduced c, scholar and critic
• Richard Bethell (Lord Westbury), former Lord Chancellor
• Thomas BeechamThomas Beecham ( April 29, 1879 March 8, 1961) was a British conductor. He founded several British orchestras including the New Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Beecham is often taken to be the fi, conductor
• Melvyn BraggMelvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg (born 6 October 1939) is a British author, television and radio presenter and journalist. He was born in Wigton, Cumbria, England. He studied Modern History at Wadham College, Oxford. He is famous for his TV arts programme The So, television broadcaster
• Cecil Day-LewisCecil Day-Lewis (or Day Lewis ( 27th April 1904- 22nd May 1972) was a British poet. Born in Ireland (at Ballintubber, County Laois), he was educated at Wadham College, Oxford, where he made the acquaintance of W. After working as a school-teacher for some, former Poet Laureate
• Michael FootThe Right Honourable Michael Mackintosh Foot (born July 23, 1913), British politician, was leader of the Labour Party from 1980 to 1983. He is the brother of the late Sir Dingle Foot, and of Hugh Foot, whose late son was the campaigning journalist, Paul F, politician
• William Fox, premier of New Zealand
• Tim Franks , journalist
• C. B. Fry, sportsman
• Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon
• Francis Kilvert , clergyman and diarist
• Tim McInnerny, actor
• Arthur Onslow, former Speaker of the House of Commons
• Rosamund Pike, actress
• Michael Rosen , poet and broadcaster
• John Simon. former Lord Chancellor
• F. E. Smith (Lord Birkenhead), former Lord Chancellor
• Thomas Sprat, divine and cofounder of the Royal Society
• Rowan Williams, current Archbishop of Canterbury
• John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, libertine poet
• Christopher Wren, architect and cofounder of the Royal Society