Radcliffe Camera is a building of Oxford University, located
in Oxford, England. The building was
designed by James Gibbs in the neo-classical style and built in 1737-1749. The structure is a circular dome and drum style
with a Palladian design. Its purpose was
to house the Radcliff Science Library, a project funded by the notable and
royal physician, John Radcliffe’s estate.
In 1810, the library’s collections covered a wide range of subjects, but
eventually narrowed its focus to the sciences. By 1850, the Radcliffe Library
lagged behind the Bodleian library. The
librarian Henry Wentworth Acland, instituted plans for the Radcliffe library to
be combined with the University’s and moved the book collections to the new
Radcliffe Science Library. Today, the
dome is a distinct landmark and serves as the main reading room for the
Bodleian Library. Unfortunately,
Radcliffe Camera is not open to the public.
www.lahilden.com
