‘Camera’ is Latin for ‘chamber’ or ‘room’ The circular dome and drum along with the elegant Palladian design of The Radcliffe Camera ensure that it has become one of the most famous and recognisable of Oxford’s magnificent architectural treasures. It was designed by the architect, James Gibbs, as a memorial to Dr John Radcliffe, a royal physician who bequeathed his great collection of scientific books along with £40,000 when he died in 1714. It opened in 1749 and was called the Radcliffe Library. The scientific book collection was eventually moved to other University libraries in 1862, when the building became the main Bodleian reading room, and today those studying Theology, History, English, Art History and Education use it. Incidentally, the word ‘camera’ is said to originate from the Latin for ‘chamber’ or ‘room’ as opposed to relating to cameras.
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