The Greenland Library
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Completed in 2018 at a cost of approximately £4 million, the project was funded entirely through the generosity of alumni Duncan Greenland CBE (PPE, 1966), James Del Favero (Engineering Science, 1978), and Gerald Smith (Philosophy, 1984). Their exceptional support transformed the library into a modern, welcoming space for today’s students.
The renovation was both extensive and sensitive, respecting the College’s rich history. The original cloister, once an open walkway and former burial ground, was carefully transformed into the library’s ground floor. The original stone floor, carved with the initials and dates of those buried beneath, was lifted, cleaned, and re-laid to ensure the graves remained undisturbed. Archaeological investigations revealed fragments of Brasenose’s past, from collapsed grave slots to scattered bones, offering a vivid reminder that the library is built literally upon centuries of College life. These careful restorations preserved the character of the space while enabling it to meet the needs of modern scholarship.
The Greenland Library itself has deep historical roots. It was originally constructed between 1657 and 1664 following a bequest from Samuel Radcliffe, Principal of Brasenose from 1614 to 1648, who left funds in his will for “a buildinge upon Pillars… which will make a walke under it, the greate want of Brasennose Colledge.” Built during the Commonwealth period, the library and its adjacent chapel were bold statements of royalist loyalty, most notably marked by the defiantly named ‘King’s Door’, crowned with a royal emblem. Today, the library remains one of the very few significant buildings erected during this turbulent period of English history.
Now open 24 hours a day to students and faculty, the Greenland Library houses more than 60,000 books and periodicals. It provides not only a place for quiet study, but also a shared intellectual home where ideas are formed, challenged and developed. For students navigating the pressures of modern academic life, access to such a space is invaluable.
John Bowers KC, Principal of Brasenose College, reflected on the significance of the project:
“The library is at the centre of College life and we are incredibly grateful that our alumni and friends Duncan, James and Gerald have all made substantial contributions to ensure it remains fit for twenty-first century learning and research. The whole Brasenose community – current and future – thanks them for their tremendous generosity.”
Through the vision and philanthropy of Duncan Greenland, James Del Favero and Gerald Smith, the Greenland Library continues to serve as a cornerstone of the Brasenose experience. Their support has removed barriers to study, safeguarded an extraordinary historic building, and ensured that students today — and tomorrow — have the space, resources and inspiration they need to flourish. This is the lasting impact that alumni generosity can achieve.
