It was well into the afternoon by the time I had chance to sally forth with Monty and the weather was doing just about everything at once. As I walked past Magdelene the low sun briefly won out - just long enough for me to wait for some human interest. I forgot to post a literary reference yesterday but today's is from Samuel Pepys, Magdelene's most famous alumnus. He bequeathed the college his library - 3,000 books and manuscripts which are preserved in the Samuel Pepys Library - and the whole nation his unique insight into 17th Century life.
Another very recent triumph is the award of this year's Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine to former Master Professor Sir John Gurdon. According to "The News Quiz' which I enjoyed via podcast as we walked he came 250th out of 250 for science in his year at Eton and his biology teacher told him that studying science 'would be a sheer waste of time'. He went to Oxford to study Classics but after a mix up with admissions he switched to Zoology. The prize-winning work was done in Oxford (oh the shame) but at 79 he still works full time at The Gurdon Institute (for cancer research) in Cambridge.
Three good things:
1. I didn't get drenched by the lashing rain until almost home ;0)
2. You should never write off 15 year olds.
3. A quote from Samuel Pepys, "I went out to Charing Cross to see Major General Harrison hanged, drawn, and quartered; which was done there, he looking as cheerful as any man could in that condition."
This is a fabulous shot Judith and great to hear about the students who previously frequented these walls. I have sent you a message asking for directions to CAB on yesterdays pic
Marvelous silhouette and shadow. If not at Magdelene College, I'd say it had a mysterious James Dean'ish' look...but somehow that doesn't seem appropriate. :)
Exciting work/research that Sir John Gurdon and his counterpart have been undertaking. It's far beyond my capability to understand cell reprogramming...but I can certainly appreciate the implications of their work. I suspect it could be nothing short of miraculous in future applications.
@rosiekind Just at the station getting Adam and they are setting up terrible roadworks on Hills Road. You could walk from Parker's Piece via Gresham Road (or down Hills Road) if you wanted to avoid the chaos - or go the Mill Road way but I think it's a reasonable walk from that end. Going to have to drive him to school via Granchester tomorrow I think - the bus will never get him there!
Oh, damn! I was going to mention a few days ago that I had read about Sir John Gurdon winning the Nobel Prize for his research cell developent. Incredible, mind-blowing stuff. Congrats to him and all of Britain.
Love your Samuel Pepys quote & what treasures Magdalene College hold there, hope for all struggling students too! @phil-howcroft will be pleased with your contre jour!!!! Love the peep of cobbles under the door!
wonderful framing and light! Major General Harrison was found guilty of regicide which is deliberate killing of a monarch- see what your post has made me look up- thanks x
A very classy shot - beautiful moment capture, especially with that light. I was quite impressed by the Pepys library and by the way Magdalene is pronounced ;). I read about Gurdon in the paper and laughed at that quote from his teacher - you just never know what lies in the future :)! Nice quote...
Judith I don't know why, but this image has a very retro 1960's feel to it...maybe it's the monochrome, maybe it's the grain, but it is a cracking shot
Nice story and number , funny and gruesome.
Exciting work/research that Sir John Gurdon and his counterpart have been undertaking. It's far beyond my capability to understand cell reprogramming...but I can certainly appreciate the implications of their work. I suspect it could be nothing short of miraculous in future applications.