Murray Edwards College, Cambridge facts for kids

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Murray Edwards College

Fountain Court in July 2019

Arms of Murray Edwards College

University

University of Cambridge

Location

Huntingdon Road, Cambridge (map)

Full name

Murray Edwards College, founded as New Hall, in the University of Cambridge

Abbreviation

MUR

Established

1954

Named after

Rosemary Murray
Ros (Smith) and Steve Edwards

Gender

Women

Sister college

St Anne's College, Oxford

President

Dorothy Byrne

Undergraduates

397 (2022–23)

Postgraduates

172 (2022–23)

Map

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Murray Edwards College is a special college at the University of Cambridge in England. It's unique because it's only for women students. The college was started in 1954 as New Hall. Later, in 2008, it changed its name. The new name honors a big gift of £30 million from a former student, Ros Edwards, and her husband Steve. It also honors Rosemary Murray, who was the first leader of the college and the first woman to be a Vice-Chancellor of the whole University of Cambridge.

A Look at the College's History

Murray Edwards College has an interesting past, starting as a small group of students and growing into a well-known college.

How the College Began

New Hall opened in 1954. At first, it had only sixteen students. They lived on Silver Street in Cambridge. Back then, Cambridge University had very few women students. Only two other colleges, Girton and Newnham, accepted women. New Hall helped more women study at Cambridge.

Moving to a New Home

In 1962, the Darwin family gave their home, "The Orchard," to the college. This new place was on Huntingdon Road, about a mile from the city center. Famous architects, Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, designed the new buildings. They also designed the Barbican in London. Building started in 1964 and finished in 1965. The new college could fit up to 300 students.

Amazing Discoveries and Leaders

In 1967, a student named Jocelyn Bell Burnell made a huge discovery. She found the first four pulsars. Pulsars are like cosmic lighthouses that spin very fast. Her discovery later led to a Nobel Prize for her supervisor. Jocelyn Bell Burnell herself became a research professor at the University of Oxford.

In 1975, the college's leader, Rosemary Murray, made history. She became the first woman to be the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. This is a very important job, like being the head of the whole university. Two other college leaders, Anne Lonsdale and Jennifer Barnes, also became important university leaders.

Why the Name Changed

In 2005, Rosalind Edwards, a former student, and her husband Steve Edwards gave £30 million to the college. This big gift helped make sure the college would have a strong future. So, in 2008, New Hall was renamed Murray Edwards College. This name honors both the generous donors and the first President, Dame Rosemary Murray. Some people didn't like that the new name included a man's name, even though the college is only for women.

Women-Only Colleges Today

Many years ago, some Cambridge colleges were only for men. They later started accepting women. Today, Murray Edwards and Newnham are the only two colleges in the UK that are still just for women students. However, the teachers and staff at Murray Edwards College can be of any gender. Also, male students can visit the college and are often taught there by the college's teachers.

Understanding the College's Symbols

Every college has special symbols, like a crest or logo, that tell its story.

The College's Arms (Crest)

New Hall received its official Royal Charter in 1972. This means it became a formally recognized institution. The college's special symbol, called its "Arms" or crest, looks like this:

It has a black background.
In the middle, there's a silver dolphin pointing downwards.
At the top, there are three silver stars in a row.
Around the edge, there's a silver border that looks like castle walls.

The black castle walls on the crest show that the college is near Castle Hill. The three stars come from the Murray family's crest. The dolphin is a symbol of being young, exploring new things, and being smart and kind.

The College's Logo

When the college changed its name to Murray Edwards College, it designed a new logo. This logo was inspired by the inside of the dining hall, which is shaped like a dome. They called it the 'spark'. But after asking former students, the college decided to keep using its traditional Arms (crest) for official things.

Exploring the College Buildings

Murray Edwards College has many buildings, each with its own style, built over time as the college grew.

Different Accommodation Blocks

Orchard Court: This building is also called Old Block. It reminds everyone of the college's original grounds, which were called The Orchard. It has different sections named after people who gave money to the college. Some parts were built in the 1960s. In 2009, some rooms were updated. Some student rooms here are on two levels, with a bedroom upstairs and a living area downstairs. Many rooms also have shared balconies.
Pearl House: This building used to be called New Block. It's named after Valerie Pearl, who was the second leader of the college. It opened in 1994. All the rooms here have their own bathrooms. There's a lift, so it's easy for everyone to get around. First-year students usually live here. Unlike many other colleges, this building has fully equipped kitchens and baths.
Buckingham House: The current building was built in 2001, replacing an older one. All rooms have their own bathrooms. It's also wheelchair accessible and has a lift. Inside, there's a large auditorium with 142 seats. This space is used for talks, film festivals, and concerts.
Canning and Eliza Fok House: This building is named after Canning Fok and his wife Eliza Fok, who gave money to build it. It opened in 2008. All rooms have their own bathrooms, and it's wheelchair accessible with a lift. This building was built for the growing number of graduate students. It has a large shared kitchen and living area for every eight bedrooms.

Important Central Buildings

The first buildings on Huntingdon Road were designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon. They are considered very important buildings.

The Dome: This building has amazing artwork and a special bar that can rise from the floor for events. It's where students eat their meals, including a popular Saturday and Sunday brunch. Formal dinners are also held here once a week.
Fountain Court: You can get to this area from the bar. It has a lit-up fountain and small waterways. In warmer months, tables and chairs are put out, along with beautiful flower displays.
The Library: The library was designed to look like the inside of a grand cathedral. Students can ask for heaters, blankets, tea, coffee, and biscuits while they study. It's open 24/7. Yoga, arts and crafts, and other fun events are also held here to help students relax.

Enjoying the College Gardens

The college gardens are designed to feel natural and relaxed. The first college leader, Dame Rosemary Murray, helped plan and plant them.

Special Features of the Gardens

The gardens have a greenhouse that used to belong to the Darwin family. Banana plants are grown there in winter!

In 2007, Murray Edwards College was the first Cambridge College to take part in the famous Chelsea Flower Show. Their garden, based on the Transit of Venus, won a Bronze medal. After the show, this garden was rebuilt next to the library.

Fun Events in the Gardens

During May Week, which is a special time at Cambridge, the college hosts a popular garden party. Students from all over the university come to enjoy it. The party has a different theme each year. In the autumn, the college celebrates 'Apple Day' in the gardens. This day is full of fun activities like picking apples, cooking, crafting, and bonfires.

Students are encouraged to use and enjoy the gardens. You'll often see them sunbathing, studying, having picnics, or even relaxing on a small beach set up in the summer. Professional staff take care of the gardens, and recently, teachers and students have also helped. Since 2012, there have been special garden plots for growing herbs and vegetables.

The Women's Art Collection

Murray Edwards College is home to The Women's Art Collection. This is the largest collection of art by women in Europe! It's the second largest in the world.

How the Collection Started

The collection began in the early 1990s. At that time, the college didn't have much art, and most of it was portraits of old men. The college president wrote to 100 women artists and asked them to donate one piece of art. More than 75% of them agreed! Since then, more donations have come in.

Art All Around You

You can see the artwork all over the college. Students are even allowed to ask for pieces to be brought into their bedrooms to decorate them! The collection includes works by many famous women artists, such as: