Peterhouse, Cambridge

Peterhouse is the oldest college in the University of Cambridge. It was founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely. Peterhouse has 270 undergraduates, 125 graduate students and 45 fellows, making it the smallest College in Cambridge.

History

The foundation of Peterhouse dates to 1280, when Hugo de Balsham, the Bishop of Ely, planned to start a college on land that is now part of St John's College. In 1284, he transferred to the present site with the purchase of two houses to accommodate a Master and fourteen "worthy but impoverished Fellows", and Peterhouse was founded. Balsham died in 1286, bequeathing a sum of money that was used to buy further land.

Related Topics:
1280 - Bishop of Ely - St John's College - 1284 - 1286

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In the early seventeenth century, under the Mastership of Andrew Perne, the College was known as a centre for Arminianism.

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In the twentieth century, Peterhouse has had a reputation for excellence in both science and history. Notable history Fellows have included Herbert Butterfield, Hugh Trevor-Roper, Maurice Cowling and Niall Ferguson. Notable science Fellows have included Aaron Klug, Max Perutz and John Meurig Thomas.

Related Topics:
Herbert Butterfield - Hugh Trevor-Roper - Maurice Cowling - Niall Ferguson - Aaron Klug - Max Perutz - John Meurig Thomas

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In the 1980s Peterhouse required an association with Conservative, Thatcherite politics. Maurice Cowling and Roger Scruton were both influential Fellows of the College and are sometimes described as key figures in the so-called "Peterhouse right" - an intellectual movement linked to Margaret Thatcher. Michael Portillo, Michael Howard and Malcolm Rifkind all studied at Peterhouse.

Related Topics:
Conservative - Thatcherite - Maurice Cowling - Roger Scruton - Margaret Thatcher - Michael Portillo - Michael Howard - Malcolm Rifkind

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The college has an active JCR and was one of the few student bodies in Cambridge successful in keeping rents low during a series of rent strikes in 2000.

Related Topics:
JCR - 2000

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