Few cities have played a more prominent role in Britain's history than Oxford. It was already an important centre for religion and trade by the 13th century, and the foundation then of the first colleges established it as one of Europe's most venerated seats of learning. This encyclopaedia provides a portrait of the city, past and present, recording aspects of the city and its university. Also included are the people who brought Oxford to life: artists and scientists, statesmen, churchmen, scholars, businessmen, criminals and eccentrics. There are more than 1000 indexed entries. Christopher Hibbert is a winner of the Heinemann Award for Literature. He is the author (with Ben Weinreb) of this book's companion volume, The London Encyclopaedia. Edward Hibbert is a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society, London and has written St Helena Postal History and Stamps.