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 Two

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

Date: Saturday 17 January 2026

Time: 1.30pm to 6.30pm

Venue: Christ Church Upper Library, St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1DP. Please note that there is no step-free access.

Book here.