Truth worth the seeking - John Locke and Christ Church

Sat Jan 17 2026 at 01:30 pm to 06:30 pm UTC+00:00

Christ Church Upper Library | Oxford

Christ Church Library
Publisher/HostChrist Church Library
Truth worth the seeking - John Locke and Christ Church
Advertisement
Study afternoon exploring John Locke's ideas and their connection to Christ Church, to Oxford, and to European Enlightenment.
About this Event

John Locke was elected to a Studentship at Christ Church in 1652, after the civil wars; in 1684 he would be expelled in the wake of the Rye House Plot to assassinate Charles II and his brother James and he would spend some formative years in the Netherlands.

In the midst of political and religious turmoil, Locke sought truth through philosophy, religion, and the development of a political theory based upon natural law and consent. His ideas were both influential and controversial, shaping discussions of the legitimacy of government and the possibilities of toleration for religious dissenters not only in his own context but down to the present day.

In this study afternoon our speakers will explore Locke's ideas and their connection to Christ Church, to Oxford, and to the wider European context of the early Enlightenment.

During the event there will be a chance to view the exhibition which includes Locke's desk, many of his books, and the Royal Order for his expulsion.

Registration includes refreshments (not lunch): £15; £5 concessions (for University of Oxford staff and alumni, and those over 65); free for students of any institution and those who are unemployed. Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.

Programme

13.30: Registration

14.00: Welcome

14.15: Session One

Jacob Chatterjee (New College): 'John Locke, Christ Church, and the Bonds of Friendship, 1651-1726'.

Brian Young (Christ Church): ‘John Locke and Robert South’.

15:30 Refreshments

16:00: Session Three

Felix Waldmann (Corpus Christi, Cambridge): Locke’s Books, Manuscripts, and ‘Escritoire’.

Sarah Mortimer (Christ Church): ‘Locke, Oxford, and Amsterdam - rethinking liberty in the 1680s'.

Drinks reception

We regret that access to the Upper Library is by a large spiral staircase only and may cause difficulty for anyone with limited mobility.


Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Christ Church Upper Library, Saint Aldate's, Oxford, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 0.00 to GBP 15.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Discover more events by tags:

Exhibitions in OxfordNonprofit in Oxford

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Oxford

Divine Schism: Fortitude Valley
Fri, 16 Jan at 07:30 pm Divine Schism: Fortitude Valley

Common Ground, 37-38 Little Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX1 2HF

P.J. Bottoms workshop
Sat, 17 Jan at 10:00 am P.J. Bottoms workshop

Kennington Village Centre, OX1 5PG Oxford, United Kingdom

Preaching at Occasional Offices (Preaching)
Sat, 17 Jan at 10:00 am Preaching at Occasional Offices (Preaching)

Church House Oxford

PHILOSOPHY IN THE BOOKSHOP with Clare Carlisle
Sat, 17 Jan at 11:00 am PHILOSOPHY IN THE BOOKSHOP with Clare Carlisle

Blackwell's Bookshop

Elles Bailey Album Launch In-store
Sat, 17 Jan at 01:00 pm Elles Bailey Album Launch In-store

101 Cowley Road, OX4 1HU Oxford, United Kingdom

Elles Bailey in Oxford
Sat, 17 Jan at 01:00 pm Elles Bailey in Oxford

Truck Oxford

This Is Us: Cartoon Workshop
Sat, 17 Jan at 02:30 pm This Is Us: Cartoon Workshop

42 Pembroke Street, OX1 1BP Oxford, United Kingdom

Sam Hart COMIC ART SUPERHEROES
Sat, 17 Jan at 03:00 pm Sam Hart COMIC ART SUPERHEROES

Blackwell's Bookshop

The Chris Stapleton Experience
Sat, 17 Jan at 06:30 pm The Chris Stapleton Experience

O2 Academy Oxford

Cast - 30 Years Of All Change
Sat, 17 Jan at 07:00 pm Cast - 30 Years Of All Change

O2 Academy Oxford

Healthcare Professionals Open Morning
Tue, 20 Jan at 10:00 am Healthcare Professionals Open Morning

Helen & Douglas House

Joanna Kavenna SEVEN
Tue, 20 Jan at 05:30 pm Joanna Kavenna SEVEN

Blackwell's Bookshop

Oxford is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Oxford Events